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CUKIOSITIES IN AMEKICAN HISTORY 



THE 



GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS : 

R 

Vermont and the New York Land Jobbers 
PHILIP Hl.^''SMITH, 

AUTHOR OF 

" ACADIA : A LOST CHAPTER IN AMERICAN HISTORY ; " 
"•HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY;" ETC. 






i/&r- a V 



PAWLING, N. Y.: 

Philip H. fcMiTH, Publisher 

1885 



^^W-.'^ 






Entered according to Act of Congress, in tlie year 1885, by 

Philip H. Smith, 
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 



P REF ACE. 



In the history of a country whose growth has 
been under drcumstances Hke our own, every lo- 
cality abounds in unrecorded deeds of moral hero- 
ism as worthy of notice as are many facts and 
events which have become fixed in the historic 
literature current among the masses. Even were 
such deeds to find a place in local history, they 
will necessarily be circumscribed in their influ- 
ence, and at best be so hidden among common- 
place matter as almost to escape notice ; while to 
attempt giving them the attention they deserve 
in a general history would be futile. 

In the present attempt to render a compara- 
tively unknown episode of our country's history 
the theme of a small volume, both these diffi- 



4: THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 

culties will be avoided ; and by bo giving it the 
j)rominence it deserves, thereby afford a better 
understanding of the inner workings of the stu- 
pendous machinery of our system of government. 
The by-ways of our country's annals are fruitful 
in just such interesting and instructive themes. 

One of the lessons herein taught is that posi- 
tions of honor and trust are not always jjroof 
against cupidity and corruption ; or, to speak 
more plainly, under color of law men have been 
known to perform the most lawless acts. The 
story of the Vermont troubles has one rare qual- 
ity — the poor hard-working tettlers were ulti- 
mately successful ; and for once the cause of the 
humble cottager prevailed against the machina- 
tions of the favorites of royalty. 



CONTENTS. 

— Introduction - - 7-10 

I. Geographical Outline and Settlement 11-14 

II. Origin of the Land Troubles 15-23 

III. Resisting New York Claimants 24 44 

IV. Mandatory Laws of New York 45-48 

V. Affair at Westminster 49-52 

VI. Attitude of Congress 53-56 

VII. Fall of Ticonderoga 57-69 

VIII. Expedition into Canada 70-90 

IX. Establishm't of a Civil Government. 91-97 

X. Battle of Bennington , 98 109 

XL PrivateNegotiat'ns with the British.110-127 

XIL Conclusion , 128-130 



INTRODUCTION. 



Some ODG has truthfully remarked that the 
charactei- of a people is largely determined by 
the natural features of the country they inhabit. 
The peasantry of mountainous Switzerland are 
proverbial for their bravery and hardihood, their 
strong and innate love of liberty, and their pure 
and exalted patriotism. Accustomed from infan- 
cy to danger, dependent upon their own resourc- 
es, mingling day by day among the sublimest 
works of Creation, their aspirations acquire a 
buoyancy, and their spirits an independence, that 
leaves an impress on their Uves amounting to a 
national characteristic. 

Thus the brave pioneer, innured to hardship, 
and depending on his ax for shelter, and on his 



8 THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 

r;il(^ for food aud protection from wild beast and 
lurking Indian, will acquire a fertility of re- 
source and vigor of limb, as in a measure to re- 
munerate him for the privations he endures. 

The oiiginal settlers of the New Hampshire 
Grants, — that territory now known as the State 
of Vermont, — were of this sturdy, fearless, and 
independent sort. It seemed as though they had 
diawn inspiration from the snow-clad, storm-riven 
mountains, at whose base their lowly thatched 
cabins were nestled. The long and hard winters 
taxed the energies of the new settlers for the 
necessaries of life, and precluded the introduc- 
tion of luxuries that only degenerate. The stub- 
born wilderness was to be felled ; the latent pro- 
ductiveness of the soil developed ; hand to hand 
encounters with wild beasts were not infrequent ; 
common safety- demanded a unity of strength 
against the crafty foe, and necessity begat friends 
at the same time it rendered friendship a mutual 
safeguard; and this unity of purpose, thus nur- 
tured and sustained, afterward displayed itself in 



THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 9 

one of the most unique chapters in the aiiiials of 
American history. 

The people of these Grants, known to the 
world as the Green Mtmiilain Buys, were worthy 
the wild and romantic country in whirh they 
hved, and the stirring times in which they acLcil. 
VermoDt was uever organized as a separate colo- 
ny under England, and from the first that plucky 
little community refused to submit to the domi- 
nation of the older colonies on her borders. Her 
people seemed to imbibe a spirit of independence 
from the free air and the everlasting mountaina. 

New York claimed a jurisdiction over her soil, 
and a like demand was put forward by New 
Hampshire and Massachusetts. But the brave 
Green Mountain Boys, under the guidance of 
such natural leaders as the A.llens, Baker, Warner, 
and others of like invincible spirit, kept the greedy 
land-grabbers at bay. In short, Vermont never 
had a government odier than the supreme will of 
her own people, nor acknowledged the authority 
of any earthly potentate, until she was admitted 



10 -The GiiEE^ MOtJi^fAt^ BOYS 

on an equal footing into the Union of States^ a9 
the Fourteenth luminary in the blue field of the 
hation^s emblem. 

Yet had this people no inconsiderable shard 
in the work of achieving that independence which 
made the present of our country a glorious possi". 
bility. They secured what they believed to be 
their own rights, at the same time they contrib* 
Uted to the adjustment of the claims of hersis* 
ter crmmunities. 

There Ir no pretension, in the present pages^ 
to giving what Will be new to specialists in Ver- 
mont history. But to the general reader, and to 
the student of the philosophy of human events^ 
there i« much, we hope, both new and instructivOi 
The film bearing of the brave and hardy settlera 
of the Hampshire Giants, and the important part 
they played in the War of the Eevolution, give 
to the mateiial of this little book somewhat of a 
liational interest. Indeed, but for timely services 
of the Green Mountain Boys, it is more than pos- 
sible the cause of America might have been lost. 




Indians fisliing by torchlight. 



CHAPTEB I. 

GEOGRAPHICAL OUTLINE AND SETTLEMENT. 

Stephen A. Dong-las has been credited with the 
Iremark that Vermont is an exc^ellent place to emi- 
grate fiom. Though small in area, with a surface 
Bingnlarl}' broken by mountain ranges, wracked 
by frosts and covered with snows five months of 
the year, yet her internal economy has proved fa- 
vorable to the growth of both brain and brawn : 
in the halls of Congress, as well as in the pur- 
suits of science and literature, she maintains her 
place right gallantly. 

That long and irregular lake on the north- 
west boundary bears the name of the great Eu- 
ropean discoverer and explorer, Chami^lain, who 
here sought, and vainly, for a northwest passage 
to Cathay. The loveliness of its shores, and the 



12 THE GREEN MOUNTAIN E0Y3 

unsnrpassecl pieturesqueness of its islands, endear 
it to the tourist. Twice it has been the scene of 
a naval combat. 

The Green ?»roiinirdi;s,* from which the state 
takes its name, ]'un Ifingthwise through the cen- 
tral portion, about midway between the Connec- 
ticut River on the east and Lnhe Champlain on 
the west. The sides of tliese mountains are did 
with the perpetual verdure of their haidy ever- 
greens, the verdant mosses and winter grasses 



* In 17G3, Eev. Ramnel relerr?, tlie first clerprj'mnn who 
paid a visit to tLe thirty thousand settlors in that conntry. in 
the presence of a nnniber of landed proprietors, performed 
the ceremony of chiving a new name to tl -e province, ' ' on the 
top of a rock standinq- on a hip;]! mountain, then named Pis- 
gah, because it provided the company a clear sipjTit of Lake 
Champlain to the west, and of the C<innecticnt River to the 
east, and which overlooked all tlie trees and hills in the vast 
wilderness at the north and south, " . . which new name 
is "Verd Mont." in token that her mnnntains and hills shall 
ever he green and never die. lie then ponred the siiiriis 
about him and cast the bottle at the rock. The ceremony be- 
ing over, the company descended JMount Pisgfih. and took 
refreshments in a log honse, kept by Captain Otley, where 
they spent the night with great pleasure.— Hist. Mag. 



THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 13 

clinging to their towering summits. The princi- 
pal streams, rising among these mountains and 
following the natural declivities, find their way in- 
to this river and lake, except those flowing nor- 
therly into Lake Memphremagog. 

It was not until after the conquest of Canada 
that any considerable settlements were effected in 
the territoi'y now known as Vermont. Situate 
about midway between the French districts on 
the Biver St. Lawrence and the New England set- 
tlements along the Atlantic coast, it had very nat- 
urally become the battle-ground of the contend- 
ing powers, and a lurking place of their respective 
Indian allies. The early colonists of Massachu- 
setts and Connecticut, in their frequent expedi- 
tions against the French in Canada, and while 
traversing these woods as hunters and scouting 
parties, had become familiar with the fertility of 
the lands between the Connecticut River and Lake 
Champlain. As soon as the danger attending 
their settlement was in a measure removed, by 
reason of Canada and New England coming un- 



14 THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 

der the same King, swarms of emigrants from the 
adjacent colonies poured into the country, and the 
most available and valuable portions were imme- 
diately taken up j and, as though by magic, the 
wilderness developed into fruitful lields, and gar- 
dens flourished where the wild rabbit had made 
its home. At the beginning of the Revolution 
the population was estimated at from twenty to 
thirty thousand. 

If not to be governed at all is to be governed 
well, — and so it would seem to be in this in- 
stance, — the remarkable exemption of the State 
of Vermont from taxation at the close of the Rev- 
olution, as compared with other States, added to 
the fertility and cheapness of the land, attracted 
settlers from many of the older communities, re- 
sulting in large additions to population and re- 
sources. 



CHAPTER IT. 

ORIGIN OF THE LAND TROUBLES. 

Vermont, as has been well said, was born in 
the midst of tumult and the clash of arms. No 
other State, we can safely affirm, came up out of 
such tribulation. Her experience is that of a 
people exposed to the avarice and greed of offi- 
cials who scruple not to use the necessities of 
their helpless subjects as a means of securing 
their own selfish ends. 

It was in pursuance to instructions from his 
Britannic Majesty that Benning Wentworth, Gov- 
ernor of New Hampshire, proceeded, in 1749, to 
grant lands on the west side of the Connecticut 
River, in the present State of Vermont, to such 
persons as would settle and cultivate the same. 
After the declaiation of peace between France 



16 THE GRP-KN MOUNTAIN BOYS 

aiicl England, VVeiitwoith ordered that a survey 
be. made of the river for sixty miles, aud that 
tLree tiers of townsLips be laid out on either 
side. Iii 1764 about one hundred and forty 
townships had been granted to New England 
settlers. 

The lands went under the title of the "New 
Hampshire Gjants," nuiubering sixtj^-eight pro- 
prietois, eat-h grant being six miles square, the 
Governor reserving to himself five hundred acres 
at the corner of each township. There were also 
reserved four public rights, viz.: one to the soci- 
ety for the propagation of the Gospel in foreign 
parts; one for a perpetual glebe to the estab- 
lished Church of England ; one for the first set- 
tled minister of the Gospel in town ; and one for 
the support of a school. The patentees, that is 
to say, the pobsessois, were after ten years to pay 
iiinepeuce sterling per annum on each handled 
acres as quit-rent to his Majesty. 

In addition to the five hundred acres at the 
corner of each township, Governor Wentworth 



THE (JREEN MOIJNTMK BOYS 17 

received fees and other emolumeuts in his offivial 
capacity in making these grants. But he waa 
not always to pursue this career ofpecaniaiy 
prosperity. Other scheming brains, 3eah)us of 
bis rapidly accumulating fortune, sought to de- 
prive him of his monopoly of land giving. This 
menace lay in the persons of Cadwallader Golden, 
Lieut.-Gov. of New York, and some associates 
composed of lawyers and land speculators of New 
Yoik city. 

As an initiative, Lieut. -Gov. Golden issued a 
proclamation to the settlers on the west bank of 
the Gonuecticut, Dec. 28, 1763, arrogating to the 
government of New York sole juiisdictiou over 
the territory, founding the claim on the grant 
made by Gharles II to the Duke of York in 1G64 
and 1674, embracing among other parts "all t\ie 
lands from the west side of the Gonnecticut Riv- 
er to the east side of the Delaware Bay." Golden 
at once commenced making grants of land in his 
newly acquired teiritory, and by the first of No- 
vember following, his patents covered a large 



18 THE GREEN MOUNT MN BOYS 

pmtion of the lands occupied by the settlers who 
had just paid for their titles to the Governor of 
New Hampshire. 

Gov. Wentworth now issued a counter procla- 
mation intended to inspire confidence in the grants 
from New Hampshire, and exhorting the people to 
be diligent in clearing up their lands, and not be 
intimidated by the threats of New York. The 
latter province thereupon made application to the 
Crown for a confirmation of its claims, falsely and 
fraudulently averring that such an arrangement 
would meet the wishes of the people of the terri- 
tory in dispute. These claims were confirmed by 
Great Britain in July, 1764. 

Wentworth complained of this loss of territo- 
ry, and represented it to be injurious to the peace 
and prosperity of the country ; but he was con- 
strained, by aovice of counsel, to recommend to 
the settlers due obedience to the authority and 
laws of New York. 

Had this royal decree been interpreted by the 
Yorkers as simply effecting a change of jurisdic- 



THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 19 

tion, the inhabitants would have quietly submit- 
ted, as it was immaterial to them, other things 
being equal, whether they lived in New York or 
New Hampshire. Unfortunately, the private in- 
terests of Golden and the land speculators induced 
another interpretation. They maintained that 
the decision had a retrospective apj^lication ; that 
the Connecticut River had always been the east- 
ern boundary of New York, and hence the grants 
made by New Hampshire were null and void. 

The people of the Grants were now apprised 
of the true nature of the diplomatic game that 
was being played, in which they were the parties 
likely to be the most affected. They now re- 
alized that the lands they had duly bought and 
paid for, and for which they held deeds under the 
authority of the Crown, were coveted by the land 
speculators, and, under color of law, the latter 
purposed to wrest them from their hands. 

In 1765, a committee from the Grants waited 
upon the newly-appointed Governor of New York, 
Sir Henry Moore, to solicit his protection against 



20 THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 

the New York patents ; but this measure failed of 
its purpose. The following year an agent was 
sent to the Court of Great Britain to recount the 
unjust proceedings against them ; and the King 
in Council, in response thereto, issued an order 
bearing date of July 24, 1767, requiring of the 
Governor of New Yoik that he should not, " up- 
on pain of his Majesty's highest displeasure, pre- 
sume to make any grant whatsoever of any part 
of the lands in question, until his Majesty's fur- 
ther pleasure should be known concerning the 
same." This order was obeyed during the ad- 
ministration of Governor Moore; but after his 
death, which occurred in the fall of 1769, it was 
wholly disregarded, and grants were made by 
successive governors up to the Kevolutionary pe- 
riod. 

After the death of Moore, New York proceed- 
ed to csLYYj out its plan by attempting to compel 
the Vermontese to repurchase their lands, or to 
abandon them. Many of the settlers did not 
have the ready funds with which to repurchase 



THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 21 

their homes, had they been so minded ; while the 
great majority peremptorily refused to submit- 
This bold opposition was followed by actions of 
ejectment at Albany, and judgments against the 
protesting settlers, the original proprietors. 

The Governor of New York exercised a little 
judicious diplomacy by making a partial distinc- 
tion between the settlers on the east and west 
sides of the Green Mountains, and, by winning 
some of the leading characters over to his inter- 
est, by that means divided the people. Some set- 
tlers on the east side, by yielding up their New 
Hampshire titles, had new or confirmation grants 
from New Yoik on payment of half fees. The 
usual fee of the foimer colony for granting a 
township was about three hundred dollars; but 
under the latter it geneially exceeded two thou- 
sand dollars. 

To pi'omote a further division between the 
two sections. New York gave civil and military 
commissions to settlers on the east side. A new 
county was erected there, and a log court house 



22 THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 

and jail was built in the wilderness, eight miles 
distant from any settlement. The Governor, by 
this stratagem, partially brought the eastern 
counties to coincide with New York, thus placing 
the western district in the interior of the govern- 
ment. He hoped in that way to compel their 
submission ; forgetting that men, who had braved 
every danger and hardship attending the settle- 
ment of a wild countiy, would not tamely submit 
to be dispossessed. The contest now grew warm 
and seiious. Writs of ejectment were issued and 
served; some officers were prevented by force 
from serving their writs; the papers were re- 
turned to the Supreme Court at Albany. 

Ethan Allen, a proprietor under the Hamp- 
shire Grants, accompanied by an eminent barris- 
ter of Connecticut named Ingersoll, repaired to 
Albany to answer in behalf of the Grants. When 
the first case was brought, Ingersoll answered for 
the defendant, supporting his plea by the royal 
orders and instructions to Governor Wentworth 
to make grants of land in the province of New 



THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 23 

Hampshire, aDcl also produced the grant and 
cLaiter to the settlers. The judge would not 
admit them to be taken as evidence, on which In- 
gersoU perceived the cause was already piejudged, 
and withdrew from the defense. 



CHAPTER III. 

RESISTING THE NEW YORK CLAIMANTS. 

On the return of Mr. Allen to Bennington, the 
people met in conventiou, and passed a resolution 
to support their rights and property by force, in- 
asmuch as justice was denied them by the in- 
triguing land-jobbers conti oiling the civil power 
of New York. This was a bold stroke of one hun- 
dred men thus to oppose the most favored and in- 
fluential colony under tbe Crown ; but the Ver- 
monters rightly conjectured their quarrel was with 
the governor of New York and a few land specula- 
tors only, and not with ihe body of its inhabitants. 

Matters were daily becomiog more serious. 
Civil officers were opposed by the people of the 
Grants ; the latter were in turn indicted for riot, 
and sheiiffs were sent to apprehend the delin- 



THE GREEN MOUNT \ IN BOYS 25 

quents. These officers were seized and sev 'lely 
chastised with twigs of the wilderness ; that is to 
say, they were bound to trees and treated to an 
application of beech rods on their bare backs, well 
laid on. Every day produced new events : tlie 
settlers resolved to form themselves into a military 
association for mutual protection. 

Before the close of the year 1770, committees 
of safety had been organized for purposes of de- 
fense against the New York claimants. These 
committees afterwards met in general convention, 
when important issues were to be determined. 
Ethan Allen was commissioned Colonel Com- 
mandant, and Seth Warner, Remember Baker, 
Robert Cockran, Gideon Warren and others, 
were appointed captains. 

The Governor of New York had threatened to 
drive the Vermonters into the Green Mountains, 
which occasioned their taking the name of "Green 
Mountain Boys." The committees of safety passed 
a resolution in general council, in 1771, that no 
officer from New York be allowed to carry out of 



i^B fiiE fitiEEN Mount A i^ boys 

the Hampshire Grants any person, without per- 
mission given by the committees, or the military 
commandei s. Surveyors of land under New York 
Were forbidden to run any lines within the Grants; 
and transgressors in this particular were to be 
punished according to the judgment of a court 
formed among the military officers or elders of 
the people. 

" Hugh Monroe, an old offender, was taken, 
tried, and ordered to be whipped on his naked back. 
He was tied to a tree, and flogged till he fainted; 
on recovering he was whipped again till he fainted ; 
he revived and underwent a third lashing till he 
fainted ; his wounds were then dressed, and he 
Was banished the district of the New Hampshire 
Grants." These severities proved a salutary les- 
son, and the Green Mountain Boys became a ter- 
ror to their adversaries. 

The convention next issued a decree forbidding 
all persons taking out grants, or confirmations of 
grants, under New York. This had the effect of 
Uniting the settlers very much in the common 



THTi: CtREen mountain boys 27 

cause, x^bout the same time the Colonial Assem- 
bly of New York authorized the sheriffs to call out 
a posse c'omitatiis in case of opposition to the ex- 
ecution of their office ; and the Governor offered a 
reward of £150 for Colonel Ethan Allen, and £50 
each for Warner and five others therein named, 
to any person that should take and confine them 
in any jail in New York. As a measure of retali- 
ation, Allen and the other prosciibed persons of- 
fered a reward of £5 for the taking- of John Ta- 
ber Kemp, Attorney General of New York, and 
published the same in the newspapers of the day. 
The Supreme Court at Albany, having awarded 
a judgment on a writ of ejectment against James 
Breckenridge, of Bennington, the sheriff of Al- 
bany County summoned a posse to the number 
of sevpu hundred and fifty men to go and assist 
in serving the same. The officers collected about 
three hundred, and reaching Breckenridge's house 
Bome hours in advance of the sheriff's party, sta- 
tioned their men in ambuscade in readiness to re- 
ceive them. 



28 



THE GREEN MOUNTAIN B0Y3 



An officer and eighteen men were placed inside 
the house. One hundred and fifty were secreted 
behind trees, in a wood, near the road by which 
the sheriff must pass, and where he would nat- 
urally halt his men while he went to demand pos- 
session of the premises. The other division was 
stationed behind a ridge of land, in a meadow, 
within gun-shot of the house, but out of sight of 
the sheriff's men. This arrangement of the am- 
buscade enabled the Green Mountain Boys to 
have a cross-fire on the Yorkers without endanger- 
ing themselves ; and they were instructed to hold 
themselves in readiness to commence the attack 
in case the sheriff forced the door, the signal to 
be a red flag hoisted above the chimney top. 

When the sheriff and his party approached, all 
was silent; and exultingly they marched directly 
into the trap without being aware of their critic- 
al situation. Mr. Ten Eyck, the sheriff, went to 
the house and demanded entrance as Sheriff of 
the County of Albany ; and threatened in case of 
refusal, to force the door. The answer was, 



THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 29 

"Attempt it, and you are a dead man." He re- 
peated his demand; and was answered by ''hid- 
eous groans from within." 

At this juncture, the two divisions exhibited 
their hats on the points of their guns, which made 
them appear more numerous than they really were. 
The sheriff and his men, realizing the danger of 
their situation, " and not being interested in the 
dispute," beat a hasty retreat, without a gun be- 
ing lired on either side. This affair served not 
only to cement the union of the people, but also 
to cause a higher estimate to be placed on them 
by the neighboring colonies. 

On another occasion, an armed party of fifty 
men proceeded to Arlington, where they took 
prisoner Captain Remember Baker, one of the 
seven proscribed persons, severely wounding both 
him and his wife. Baker was put into a sleigh, 
and the party set out with all speed for Albany. 
An express was dispatched to Bennington with 
tidings of the occurrence. Ten men promptly 
mounted fleet horses, and after a ride of thirty 



30 THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 

miles, intercepted the kidnapping party at a cross- 
road. The ten horsemen impetuously charged 
upon the tifty Yorkeis; and the latter, supposing 
them to be the advance guard of a larger foice, 
left their prisoner and fled. Captain Baker was 
nearly exhausted with loss of blood ; but he was 
kindly cared for, his wounds dressed, and he was 
restored to his wife and children, to their no 
small joy, and that of his friends. 

A report reached Bennington that Governor 
Tryon was on his way by water to Albany, with 
British Troops, with a purpose to subdue or de- 
stroy the Green Mountain Boys. This was the 
more readily credited, as the royal troops had late- 
ly been used on Bateman's * Patent, in the colony 
of New York, to quell some disputes about the 
titles or rents of lands ; and it was known that 
the subsequent grantees of the New Hampshire 

* Should read "Beekman's" Patent, in Duchess County, 
probably iu the present town of Pawhng. 



THE GRSEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 31 

Grants had applied to the Governor of New York 
for a similar favor. 

The committees of safety met the military of- 
ficers to consult on the measures proper to be 
taken. They felt themselves at a crisis that would 
either compel them to submit, or take the field 
against a royal Governor and British troops. 
Having reflected on the justice of their cause, the 
labor and expense of building and the cultivating 
of their lands, they unanimously resolved "that 
it was their duty to oppose Governor Tryon and 
his troops to the utmost of their power, and con- 
vince him and his council that they were punish- 
able by the Green Mountain Boys for disobeying 
his majesty's prohibitory orders of July, 1767." 
The elders of the people assured tbe military of- 
ficers that they would afford them all the assist- 
ance in their power, and advised them to concert 
among themselves the plans of defense, and then 

■withdrew. 

A messenger was sent to Albany to ascertain 
the truth of the report, and learn the strength of 



32 THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 

tl e euemj and the order of marching. On bis re- 
lum, tbe messenger reported tbat "tbe Biitish 
troops were wind-bound S(.'me distance below Al- 
bany, and were destined to relieve tbe garrisons 
at Osw^ego, Niagara, and Detroit, and that Gover- 
nor Tr^on was not with them." Of course all 
prf 1 aiations for a battle w^eie suspended. 

The Governor and land agents of New York 
were in due time apprised of this "note of prep- 
aiation," and wtre thus assuied tbe Green Moun- 
tain Boys would fi^bt even the King's troops ou 
provocation. This affair served tbe purposes of 
Yeimont as well as a bloody victory could have 
done ; and pi ompted tbe Convention to forbid ''all 
inhabitants of the New Hampshire Grants to hold 
or accept any ( ffice of honor or profit under tbe 
colony of New York, and requiring all civil and 
mibtaiy ( fficers who bad acted under New Yoik 
to suspend their functions under penalty of being 
viewed.*''''' 

* An expression signifying an application of the beech rod . 



THE GREEN MOUNT \IN BOYS 33 

The first settlers of Clareodou were adherents 
of New York. Disturbances bad often sprung 
up in that place, and Mr. Spencer, who bad acted 
PS Justice of the Peace under New York, bad oft- 
en sent writs against the people. Colonel Allen 
and a few hundred men set off for Clarendon, to 
f lighten Spencer o\7t of the country. Acting on 
information received of Allen's intended visit, 
Spencer fled into the woods, and was not to bo 
found when the party reached the house. 

After scouting the woods in vain, they marched 
three miles and put up for the night. Towards 
daylight, Allen and his two men went again to 
Spencers house. Forcing the door with a log, 
they rushed in with their guns and pistols, crying 
out for Spencer to appear ; but he bad not ven- 
tured to return home. 

As they rejoined the main force, a small dog 
was discovered, which, unfortunately for the dog, 
bore the name of Tryon. This animal they cut 
into pieces with their swords for no other cause 
than that its name was Tryon ; they held up the 



34 ►t&E GREEN Mountain bo-^s 

pieces of the dog on the points of their guns and 
cried out—" Thus will we do with Ti yon ! " Spen- 
cer vras so much alarmed at these proceedings 
that he fled to New York, and matters remained 
quiet for a time. 

In the spring of 1772, Governor Tryon, through 
the medium of a minister residing in Bennington, 
made overtures to the people of the Grants for a 
pacification. He promised if they would send 
agents to negotiate an accommodation, they would 
be received and protected, only excepting Ethan 
Ahen, Seth Warner^ Remember Baker, and Robert 
Cockran. 

This proposal being accepted^ Captain Stephen 
Fay and Dr. Jonas Fay were sent to represent 
Vermont before the Governor, to arrange for an 
adjustment of claims. The most that was effect- 
ed was a cessation of hostilities until his Majesty's 
pleasure could be further known. During this 
armistice, a surveyor named Cockbum was pri- 
vately sent to survey out and locate lands within 
the bounds of the New Hampshire Grants. Ira 




^-»>vw/*^ 



"Viewing " a New York sheriff with beech rods. 



THE GREEN MOUNTAIN' BOYS 35 

Allen and a number of vUieu went in search of him. 
They found the oiiender at Bolton, one hundred 
and thiity miles through an almost unbroken wil- 
derness to the north of Bennington. They broke 
bis instruments and aliCwod him to depait, with 
an admonition never to be seen in those parts 
again under pain of death. Only the partial arm- 
istice, and the efforts for a restoration of peace 
then in progress, saved Mr. Cockburn a severe 
whipping. 

Governor Tryon next essayed the plan of es- 
tablishing a colony of emigrants under the New 
Yoik proprietors. The settlers were to be 
Scotchmen, and the colony was to be located at 
New Haven Falls. Allen was duly apprised of 
this, who, with a number of trusty followers, re- 
paired to the place and began the construction of 
a block fort. The Scotch emigrants wisely sent 
S'Jtne agents to view the country before coming 
in with their families ; and learning the nature of 
the dispute as to title, refused to have any more 
to do in the matter. 



36 THE GEEEN MOUNTAIN B0T3 

One evening while Colonel Ethan Allen and 
Levi Roberts were at the house of a friend by the 
name of Richardson, they were surprised by two 
sergeants and ten soldiers from the garrison at 
at Crown Point, all of them well armed. Allen 
and Roberts were well known to the soldiers, and 
realized they were caught in a trap, as, stimulat- 
ed bj' the reward on their heads, the soldiers 
would be certain to take them before the New 
Yoik authorities. But even in this dilemma, Al- 
len's jjresence of mind did not forsake him. Both 
he and Roberts had their side arms about them, 
and he judged the soldiers would not immediately 
risk an open encounter. Calling for liquor, he 
began to make merry with the men; and such 
was his address, and his powers of conversation, 
that they were actuallj^ forced to join in the rev- 
elry. It was not long before the sergeants were 
dismayed at beholding their men, one by one, 
yielding to the seductive influence of their po- 
tations. Yet the doughty Colonel kept lustily 
calling for more liquor; and with well-feigned 



THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 37 

hnskiness of voice, pressed all to diink. swearing 
they would merit his eternal displeasure if they 
refused. 

At length, after nearly all had rolled from 
their chaiis. stupefied by the quantities of liquor 
they had swallowed, Allen demanded to be shown 
to bed. He was answered that the sergeants had 
engaged the only spare beds in the house. He 
refused their offer to give up one of the beds to 
himself and Roberts, with a maudlin remark that 
two such jolly subjects of the King should have 
the best the house afforded, and declared his in- 
tention to sleep in the barn. 

Leaving their guns in the house to disarm 
suspicion, Allen and Roberts suffered themselves 
to be conducted to the barn by the sergeants, 
where they were locked up for the night. The 
Colonel was apparently so far overcome with 
liquor as to require the assistance of two men to 
enable him to walk ; and he reeled about, and 
dropping down helpless upon the straw, fell off 
into a diunkeu slumber. Even Roberts began to 



38 THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 

have serious misgivings as to the condition of his 
Colonel, whom he had seen drain glass after glass 
during the evening, enough to turn the heads of 
half a dozen men. Bat no sooner had the foot- 
steps of the retreating sergeant dieel away, than 
the labored breathing of the Colonel suddenly 
ceased; and sitting up, drew off his boots and 
poured therefrom the rum that Roberts was 
ready to swear he had seen disappear down Al- 
len's throat. 

Allen knew the soldiers bad only repaired to the 
house to allow himself and his companion time to 
get sound asleep, when they v.ouid return and 
surprise them. What was to be done, must be 
done quickly. But Allen had no intenlion of 
leaving without their rifles. While they debated 
as to the best method of securmg them, those 
coveted weapons were brought them by Miss 
Bichardsou, who had found means to privately 
remove them from a window ; then making their 
egress from the barn, they hastily sought the 
safety of the dark foreist. An hour later the ser- 



THE GREEN MOUNT/ IN BOYS 39 

geants went to secure their prisouers, whom they 
expected to Hud helplessly drunk, but the birds 
had flown. 

Oue Hough, of Clarendon, was persuaded to 
accept the office of Justice of the Peace uuder 
New York, and attempted to otHciate as such. He 
was taken before the commiltee of safet}', where 
he plead in justification that he was authorized 
by the colony of New York. The committee 
caused the resolution of the Convention of the 
New Hampshire Grants to be read to him, forbid- 
ding all persons holding any office uuder New 
York, and then pronounced judgment on the 
prisoner that he "be taken and tied to a tree, and 
there, on his naked back, to receive two hundred 
stripes ; his back being dressed, he should depart 
out of the district ; and in the event of his return, 
unless leave was granted, he was to suffer death." 
It is needless to add the sentence of whipping 
was summarily executed. This occurred in Jan- 
uary, 1775, Hough had signalized himself as be- 
ing very active in procuring the outlawry acts 



40 THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 

a^iaij;st Allen and others of the Green Mountain 
Eojs. 

Dr. Samuel Adams, of Arlington, was outspoken 
in h s denunciation of the Green Mountain Boys, 
and counseled the people to j^urchase lands under 
New York titles. The Djctor was cautioned to 
keep silent, and not needlessly incur their dis- 
l^leasure; but he declared he would free his mind, 
and, providing himself with a pair of good horse- 
pistols and other weapons, said he was ready to 
silence any man who dared to cross him. He was 
soon afterward surprised, and carried to the Green 
Mountain Tavern at Bennington, where the com- 
mittee heard his defense. Of course judgment 
was rendered against him, and preparations made 
to carry his sentence into execution. 

As was common in those days, a post some 
twenty or more feet in hight held the tavern sign. 
On the top of this sign-post was a stuffed cata- 
mount's skin, showing large teeth, looking and 
grinning towards New York. Dr. Adams was 
tied in an arm chair and hoisted up to the sign, 



THE GREEN Mount \IN coi's ^1 

where he hung two mortal hours, as a punish- 
ment for his treasonable utterances. A large 
number of the citizens assembled to see the sen- 
tence carried out, and they were loud in their 
jeers and merriment at the Doctor's discomfit* 
ure. He was then let down, dismissed by the 
committee, and admonished to go and sin no 
more. 

Colonel Ethan Allen was once on a visit to 
his brother Heman, who was residing at Salis- 
bury, Conn. A plot was laid by some Yorkers to 
capture and convey him to the Poughkeepsie jail, 
and so obtain Tryon's promised premium. Rob- 
ert M'Cormick, who was on intimate terms with 
the famil}^, had been engaged to act as decoy. 
He was to spend the night with the family as 
their guest, and at a convenient hour, open the 
door and conduct the gang to the apartment 
where the Colonel slept, A sleigh was to be in 
readiness outside, in which their prisoner could 
be driven with all speed out of Connecticut. 

M'Cormick parted from his companions at 



42 THE GREEN MOTJNTAlN BOYS 

some distance from Heman Allen's house. He 
Was kindly received, and offered a bed for the 
nif>ht. It was noticed he was unusually reticent, 
and quite reserved in his particijiation in the hos- 
pitalities tendered him. He made some indirect 
inquiries after Colonel Allen, who had ridden out 
that afternoon, but who was momentarily expect- 
ed to return. 

From these circumstances Heman was led to 
suspect some plot was on foot against his broth- 
er, and so f xpressed himself on that gentleman's 
return. The Colonel thereupon taxed M'Cormick 
at his unusual concern, and so pressed the poor 
fellow that he confessed there was a plot to cap- 
ture him, and that he had come for the purpose 
of privately informing him of it. M'Cormick de- 
parted soon after, and told the gang of what he 
had done. Preparations were made for defense 
by the household, but they remained through the 
night unmolested. 

The scene of this adventure was the birthplace 
of Ethan and Ira Allen, from which, at an early 




Old Catamount Tavern, 



THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 43 

ag-f, they removed with their parents to the 
Hampshire Grants. Ethan was remarkable for 
the boldness with which he declared his oi^inions, 
and a self confidence that was abashed by no con- 
scionsness of ignorance. lie acquired a wide no- 
toriety as a pamphleteer durino- the Vermont 
troubles, there being no paper published there at 
that lime. His enemies tried to fix on him the 
stigma of an outlaw ; and even so careful a histo- 
rian as Irving- is led to make the observation that 
he was " a kind of Eobin Hood among the moun- 
tains." The late T. S. Arthur once wrote of him 
as being a "guerilla chief," forgetting that he 
acted under the direction of a ccmmittee of safe- 
ty — an authority universally adopted by the other 
colonies during the Revolution. 

Ira Allen was still further traduced. The 
Weste7'n Star, a paper published at Stockbridge, 
Mass., in 1797, styles him the "Vermont Land 
Jobber ;" and states he was at the time under ar- 
rest for treasonable designs against the govern- 
ment of Great Britain, concluding with the ob- 



44 THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 

servation — "All humane men should shudder at 
the idea of a halter ; and many honest men will 
rejoice if Allen's liberation puts an end to his 
restless career in future." AUen^ it seems, had 
been charged with supplying the Irish, then in 
rebellion against England, with arms : after eight 
years of litigation he was acquitted. 



CHAPTER IV. 

MANDATORY LAWS OF NEW YORK. 

The spirit of opposition and resentment had 
risen so high because of the events recorded in 
the preceding chapter, that New York was led to 
adopt the most stringent measures of coercion. 
The law which the wisdom of that colony devised 
to meet the exigencies of the occasion was a curi- 
osity in American Legislation. It enacted that if 
any person opposed the civil officers of New 
York, or burned or destroyed property belonging 
to subjects of that colony, or assembled for riot- 
ous purposes, such offenders shall be adjudged 
guilty of felony, without benefit of clergy, and 
were to suffer death as felons. The law made it 
the duty of the Governor to publish the names of 
offenders indicted for capital offenses, with an or- 



46 THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 

der requiring them to deliver theiu selves up in 
seventy days ; in default of which the courts iiiight 
award execution against them the same as though 
they had been tried and convicted — the death 
penalty to be administered without the benefit of 
clergy. All crimes, therefore, that had been com- 
mitted on the Grants, could be tried at Albany, 
and a neglect to obey summons to deliver one's 
person into custody, was equivalent to a convic- 
tion. Thus was sought to be evaded the danger- 
ous dut}^ of seiving processes on the Green Moun- 
tain Boys, and they would convict themselves by 
refusal to surrender without the inconvenience of 
a trial. 

If this law was remarkable, the answer of the 
Green Mountain Boys was no less so. Said they: 
"By legerdemain, bribery and deception, they 
[the New Yorkers] have extended their dominion 
far and wide. We are resolved to inflict immedi- 
ate death on whomsoever shall attempt the appre- 
hension of the persons indicted as rioters. We 
will kill and destroy any person that shall be pre- 



THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 47 

sumed to be accessory, aicliug or assisting in tak- 
ing any of us; although they have a license by 
the law to kill us, and an indemniiication for so 
doing, they have no such indeinniHcation from 
the Green Mountain Boys. If New York insists 
on killing us to take possession of our vineyards, 
let them come on; we are ready for a game of 
scalping with them." These sentiments were an- 
nounced by handbills and in the papers through- 
out New England, with the design of deterring 
New York from attempting to enforce the law, 
as such an attempt would be certain to result iu 
an effusion of blood. The people of Vermont 
maintained in this that they were merely con- 
tendiug for justice, and that the officers of New 
York, who were calling upon the inhabitants of 
Vermont to obey the royal orders, were them- 
selves acting in open violation of the express com- 
mands of their King. 

A new interest may be awakened when the 
character of the claimants is considered. The 
Green Mountain Boys were the actual settlers. 



48 THE GKEEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 

Each family had its log house in the midst of the 
clearing, Avith luxuriaDt crops of corn and pota- 
t< es t.^] owing among the charred stumps. Thrse 
pioneers had brought nothing into the woods with 
them except what could be carried on horseback ; 
some fcven brought in their goods on hand-sleds 
m winte], the infirm and children being drawn 
by husbands and brothers. A few cattle, sheep 
and hogs, shared rude sheds along with the hors- 
es. The rewards of industrj^ and thrift were be- 
ginning to be rtaliztd. Many families lived re- 
mote from each other, and weeks might often pass 
by without meeting a neighbor. There was plen- 
ty of room for the Yorkers if they wished to turn 
farmers, and were willing to caive a home out of 
the wilderness as others had done. But such was 
far from their purpose. Besides, a farm ready 
cleared, with a snug house and barn, is preferable 
to one in the unbroken wilderness, when either 
can be had for the taking — and so thought the 
New York laud jobbers. 



CHAPTER V. 

AFFAIR AT WESTMINSTER. 

Colonol Allen collected the documents relfitive 
to the several grants of the crown, includin.gf that 
to the Plymouth Colony, to Lord Say and Seal^ 
to tbe Dnke of York, and some other papers, and 
and in 1774 published them in a book. This had 
the effect of bringing the Vermont troubles into 
notoriety. The newspapers everywhere were cir- 
culating the proceedings, which resulted in stir- 
ring up public sentiment against the Crown, as 
it was supposed the Governor and Council of 
New York were sustained in their claims by the 
home government. 

Hitherto the opposition to New York had been 
confined principally to the inhabitants west of the 
Gieen Mountains. As tdready stated, the policy 



60 THE GREEN MOtJNT^tN Bo¥9 

of New York bad been to divide the people in 
their sentiment, by a concihatory course in re- 
spect to those living on the Connecticut Riven 
But now an incident occurred which had the ef- 
fect of arousing the spirit of opposition through- 
but the whole extent of the Hampshire Grants. 

In September, 1775, a meeting;' of delegates 
from the several colouies met at Philadelphia, to 
consult upon measures for the public safety. 
This was followed by an almost universal suspen- 
sion of the royal authorit3% the courts being 
closed, or adjourned without doing any business. 
New York alone refused assent to the patriotic 
measures recommended by Continental Congress. 
The court of justice for the County of Cumber- 
land, on the Hampshire Grants, was to be held in 
March of that year at Westminster. Much dis- 
satisfaction prevailed throughout the county, be- 
cause of the course adopted by New Y^'ork, and at- 
tempts were made to dissuade the judges from 
holding the court, without avail. 

Early in the morning of the day appointed, 



THE OtREEK mountain BOYS 51 

the people of Westminsfcer and the adjacent 
towns took possession of the court house to pre- 
vent the officers of the court from entering. Tlie 
opposing party appeared, armed with guns, pis- 
tols and swords, and commanded the people to 
disperse. This being refused, the judges and 
their friends retired. About eleven o'clock at 
night they again appeared and demanded admit- 
tance ; being again refused, they opened fire, kill- 
ing one man and wounding several more. The 
wounded men, and some others, were seized and 
dragged to priso^.i. 

The next day the people flocked in from every 
part of the country. A coronor's inquest was in- 
stituted on the body of their fallen comrade, and 
a verdict returned of " willf u] murder by the 
Court Part}^," some of whom were immediately 
seizt d and placed in jail. 

^hti news of this cTent spread far and wide 
throughout the Hampshire Grants, and fired the 
hearts of the stern yeomanry with an irrepressi- 
ble bitterness and rage against the authorities of 



52 THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 

New York. A meeting of the committees of safe- 
ty was held at "Westminster the following month, 
at which spirited and patriotic resolutions were 
passed, among which was a declaration " that it 
is the manifest duty of the inhabitants, on the 
eternal and immutable principles of self-preserva- 
tion, wholly to renounce and resist the adminis- 
tration of the province of New York, until such 
times as the lives and property of the inhabitanta 
can be secured thereby." Indeed, such w^as the 
state of feeling, that but for the ominous occur- 
rences preceding the American Revolution, which 
for the time absorbed all minor considerations, 
New York and Vermont would have been brought 
to the direful issues of a civil war. 



CHAPTER VI. 

ATTITUDE OF CONGKESS. 

It must not be supposed, however, that in the 
overshadowing event of the great drama of the 
Revolution, the disputed claims to jurisdiction 
over Vermont were entirely forgotten. On the 
contrary, New York improved the very first op- 
portunity to make application to Congress for a 
recognition of her title to the territory. Then 
New Hampshire, inasmuch as she had made the 
original grants of the soil, memorialized Congress 
for a recogni'tion of her claims. Next Massachu- 
setts, fearing lest the others should proceed to 
carve up ihe disputed territory as they could mu- 
tually agree, interposed her plea for a portion, as 
coming rightfully under her jurisdiction. So, 
while Vermont was battling bravely with the com- 



54 THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 

mou enemy devastating her borders, she had to 
contend with the plots and baneful policy of three 
beleaguering and powerful States ; and she oi.dy 
asked of Congress an independent sovereignty 
and even-handed justice. 

Thus were four factions asserting a right to a 
jurisdiction over the territory, and each demand- 
ing of Congress a recognition of its claims. That 
body chose the wisest course practicable. It ad- 
vised each party to refrain from a forcible exer- 
cise of authority over the disputed territory as a 
preliminary measure to future adjustment. To 
this New York, Massachusetts and New Hamj^shire 
readily agreed, and authorized Congress to settle 
the whole matter in controversy. 

But the Green Mountain State was of differ- 
ent mettle. She had already declared herself free 
and independent; she had boldly assumed the 
powers of government, and had exercised those 
powers in every part of her territory. She was 
not willing to surrender her sovereignty at the 
behests of a Congress by which her rights were 



THE GREEN MOUNTAIN HOYS 55 

not respected, and in wLich she was not repre- 
sented. She was ready, as slie had ever b&en, to 
bear her share of the war with Great Britain, aud 
her isturdy Green Mountain lioys had more than 
once proved their valor and patriotism on the 
bloody held ; bat she would not consent to resign 
her just rights to the arbitrament of any body 
of men under heaven. 

In June, 1780, Congress declared " that the 
proceediiigs of the inhabitants on the New Hamp- 
shire Grants were highly unwarrantable, and sub- 
versive of the peace and v/elfare of the United 
States; and that they be strictly recpired to ab- 
stain m the future from ail acts of authority, civil 
or njiiitary, over those inhabitants who profess 
allegiance to other States." 

Undaunted by this reprimand, Vermont re- 
sponded, through her Governor and Council, that 
she conyidered the same subversive of her in- 
alienable rights ; that it was not in accord with 
the principal on which Congress grounded its own 
independence ; and that it was contrary to the 



to TTTE Gr.EEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 

p]< vision of the Federal Constitution forbicldivg 
Congress to meddle Avith the interDal policy of 
uniepresected territory. Vermont farther inti- 
luated that if the present coarse was persisted in, 
she would have no motive to continue hostilities 
with Great Britain, and maintain an important 
frontier for a country that treated her people as 
slaves ; but that it would remain for her to finally 
appeal to God and to an impartial world, to say 
who would be accountable for the awful conse- 
quences that must ensue. 

And now having outlined thus much in ad- 
vance by way of a better understanding of our 
subject, we will proceed to treat more in detaih 



PALL OF TICONDKROGA. 

On thfi iiiolit of the 17th of April, 1755, a lail* 
tprn was huno- out from an upper window of the 
North Church of Boston. Never did the beaing 
of a tallow dip go forth on more mom<^ntous er^ 
rand. As the feeble rays shot out into the ni^ht, 
few realized therein a symbol of the cause of Lib- 
ertv t!iat was so soon to be consecrated with pa- 
triot blood, and that was destined to create a ref- 
uge for the oppressed of every land. Hostile 
Biitish troops were silently threading the dark 
marshes, and this was the signal to the minute 
men to prepare for their coming. 

The British had placed guards on all the roads 
leading out of Boston to prevent all intelligence 
of the midnight sally from getting abroad; but 



58 tiTE (^REEJJ MotTNTAllSr iBOrS 

the enemj^ Lad proceeded only a few miles when 
alarm guns, booming through the night air, and 
the Hanging of village bells, showed that the 
news of their approach was traveling- before them, 
and that the country was rising. An express vras 
sent back to Boston for a reinforcement, and Ma- 
jor Pitcairn was detached to press forward with 
all speed. 

About scvfenty of the yeomanry of the country 
had been drawn tip in military array near the 
church on the village green at Lexington. Pit- 
cairn halted his men within a short distance of 
the church, and ordered them to prime and load. 
They then advanced at double quick. The Ma- 
jor, riding- forward, shouted, " Disperse, ye 
rebels! lay down your arms and disperse! " The 
patriots refused to obey; nor Vvcre they put to 
Hight until eight of their little band were Idlled 
and ten wounded. The victors formed on the 
con moil, fired a volley, and gave three cheers for 
their inglorious tiiumph. Colonel Smith now 
iariived with the remainder of the force, and the 



THE GHEEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 59 

march was resumed to the little village of Con- 
cord. 

There the alarm had preceded them, arousing 
the inhabitants in the dead hour of night. The 
church bell called together the inliabitants. The 
minute men seized their arms and paraded near 
the church. Efforts were being made to conceal 
the military stores. A horseman brought word 
that the British troops had fired upon the people 
at Lexington, and were then advancing in victori- 
ous array upon Concord. 

The excitement and indignation of the brave 
patriots were fully roused. Some of the militia 
marched down the road to meet the Euglish 
force, and reported it to be three times their 
own. They now retired to an eminence about a 
mile from the ceiitre of the to"\sm. 

About seven o'clock the British troojDS hove in 
•sight, with flags displayed and arms glittering in 
the morning sun. A strong detachment took post 
on the green, while parties were sent out to de- 
stroy the military stores. The yeomanry from 



GO THE GREEN MOUNTAIN B0T3 

the surrounding countiy were pouring in with 
such arms as they could obtain, until the little 
war-gathering on the hight numbered nearly five 
hundred. At ten o'clock a bod}^ of three hundred 
dislodged the British from the north bridge, with 
a loss of two men lulled. By tbis time, the stores 
having been destroyed, the enemy prepared to re- 
treat. 

The British troops were jaded with their long 
night march, but there was no rest or safety for 
them short of Boston. On their return march, 
the adjacent rocks and stone fences formed con 
venient breastworks, from behind which rustic 
maikamen sent the deadly bullet full into their 
ranks. Some were shot down: others dropped 
from sheer exhaustion ; the rest hurried on with 
no care for their fallen comrades. 

Before reaching Lexington, Colonel vSmith 
received a severe wound in the leg. About two 
o'clock in the afternoon, they were met by a de- 
tachment one thousand strong, with two field- 
pieces. This Vvas the reinforcement that had 



THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 61 

marched so gaily through Roxbmy to the tune of 
" Yankee Doodle," in derision of the rebels. The 
troops opened to the right and left, allowing the 
retreating soldiers to throw themselves into the 
hollow square to rest. A httie after sunset the 
purs^jit terminated at Charlestown common. A 
half hour afterward, a powerful body of men 
from Marblehead and Salem came up to jom m 
the chase. Thus the mmisteiial troops narrowly 
escaped being cut off. The British loss was 
seventy- three killed, and one hundred and seventy- 
four wounded; that of the patriots forty-mne 
killed and thirty -nine wounded. 

The cry for vengeance at this desecration of 
American soil resounded through the land. — ■ 
Measures were concerted in council ; the outrage 
was discussed in cabin and palace, and around the 
camp-fire of the hunter ; while the voice of suxDpli- 
cation from altar and dwelling was heard, asking 
the Almighty to bless the patriot cause. 

As by ccmmon impulse, public attention was 
turned to the British foi tresses of Ticonderoga 



62 THE GKEEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 

and crown Point, against which retaliatory meas- 
ures could be employed vvitli the best tifect. As 
these forts were located near the homes of the 
Green Mountain Boys, and their hardy courage 
fitted them for a duty of this kind, requests were 
sent simultaneously from several of the provinces 
to Ethan Allen* and his followers to surprise and 
capture those places. The provincial Legislature 
of Connecticut, though not openly sanctioning the 
invasion, lent money from its treasury to those 
engaged in it, and appointed a committee to as- 
sist in raising troops and supervising their man- 
agement. The force finally er gaging in the ex- 
pedition was about two hundred and seventy 



■* Irving describes Allen as "well-fitted for the enterprise 
by his experience as a frontier champion, his robustness of 
mind and body, and his fearless spirit. He had a rough 
kind of eloquence, also, that was very effective ^sith his 
foUowers." "His style," says another who knew him per- 
sonally, ' 'was a singular compound of local barbarisms, scrip- 
tural phrases, and oriental wildness : and though unclassic, 
and sometimes rmgranmiaticHl, was highly animated and 
forcible." General Washington wrote, '-there is an original 
somethini^in him which commands attention." 



THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 63 

strong, composed of Greeu Mountain Rangers, 
with the exception of sixteen men from Connecti- 
cut and a score or so from Massachusetts. 

Towards the close of Aprii, 1775, it was evi- 
dent something of unusual interest was transj)ir- 
ing in the Hampshire Grants. The labors of the 
farm were neglected at a time when they would 
require most attention, and with one accord each 
sturdy husbandman shouldered his trusty rifle, 
and silentJy betook himself to a journey. 

The course of each led through the wilderness 
toward a central point near Bennington ; and, be- 
fore long, a motley array of mountaineers, in 
rough garb but of tried strength and valor, were 
gathered as though for some military exploit. 
Colonel Ethan Allen was placed at the head of 
the expedition, — James Eaton and Seth Warner 
being second and third in command ; the troops 
arrived at Shoreham. opposite Fort Ticonderoga, 
on the night of the 7th of May. Detachments 
were sent off to Skenesborough (now Whitehall), 
and other points, to secure all the boats they 



64 THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 

could find for the transportation of the troops to 
th J opposite shore. 

About this time Benedict Arnold appeared 
among them, thirsting for military glory. He 
bore a colonel's commission from the Massachu- 
setts committee of safety, and attempted to as- 
sume command of the expedition. The Green 
Mountain Boys, however, would follow no leader 
but Allen, and Arnold was obliged to yield, en- 
gaging to act as volunteer, with the rank but not 
the command of colonel. 

The night of the 9th of May had arrived, but 
not so the boats for which detachments had been 
sent in quest. Yet it was deemed best not to de- 
lay the enterprise, and transportation was com- 
menced with the few boats at command. The 
work proceeded slowly ; day was about to break 
when Alien and Arnold, with only eighty-three 
men, had crossed. To wait another day would 
lead to discovery by the garrison. Allen drew up 
his men and announced to them his purpose. " It 
is a desperate atttmpt," said he, "and I ask no 



THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 65 

man to go against his will. Yoa who are willing 
to follow, poise your firelocks." Not a soldier 
shrank from his duty. 

Guided by a boy, they mounted the hill si- 
lently and at a rapid pace. Day was breakiiig as 
Allen, with Arnold at his left hand, arrived at a 
sallv port. A sentry snapped his piece at him 
and retreated, closely followed by Allen and his 
men. Another sentinel thrust at Eaton with his 
bayonet, but was struck down, when he begged 
lustily for quarter. His life was spared on con- 
dition of his leading the way instantly to the 
quarters of the Commandant who was yet in bed. 
Allen thundered at the door, and demanded a 
surrender of the fort. The Commandant ap- 
peared at the door half dressed, " the frightened 
face of his pretty wife appearing over his shoul- 
der." By this time the Green Mountain Boys had 
formed on the parade ground, and were giving 
vent to hearty cheers. The garrison were made 
prisoners as they rushed forth in their confusion, 
having been startled out of their sleep. The 



C6 THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 

Commandant was bewildered at what be beheld, 
and addressing Allen, cried out, "By what au- 
thority do you act ? " "In the name of the great 
Jehovah and the Continental Congress ! " was the 
reply. 

Captain Delaplaee with forty-eight of his men, 
a great supply of much needed military and naval 
stores, and a valuable fortress, were among the 
trophies of this biilliant dash of inexperienced 
farmer soldiers. 

Colonel Seth Warner, who had now come over 
from Shorehnm with the residue of the troops, 
was sent with a detachment against Crown Point, 
an express having been previously dispatched to 
Captain Baker, of Onion River, forty miles dis- 
tart, to c( me wif h his company to assist. Cap- 
tains Warner and Baker appeared before Crown 
Point nearly at the same time; the garrison, con- 
sisting only of a sergeant and twelve men, surren- 
dered without firing a gun. Here were taken up- 
ward of a hundred cannon. On his way down, 
Captain Baker intercepted two small boats which 



THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS G7 

had been sent to give the alarm to St. Johns, on 
the Sorel River. 

Arnold now insisted on being given the com- 
mand of the fortress, as being the only officer 
clothed with legal authority. Allen was too pop- 
ular to be eclipsed by the assumptions of Ar- 
nold ; and the Connecticut committee, which had 
accompanied the enterprise, gave an instrument 
in writing investing Allen with full command of 
the fort and its dependencies, until he should be 
in receipt of orders from the Connecticut Assem- 
bly or Continental Congress. Arnold was forced 
to content himself, meanwhile, with a statement 
of his grievances to the Massachusetts Legisla- 
ture. 

Just at this time a new project was set on foot 
"which had the effect to appease the restless spirit 
of Arnold. The detachment originally sent to 
Skenesborough arrived with a schooner and sev- 
eral bateaux. Allen and Arnold arranged to con- 
tir.ne their conquests by an attempt to surprise 
St. Johns, the frontier post of Canada. Arnold, 



68 THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 

"wbo had been a seaman in bis youth, took com- 
mand of the schooner, which had been furnished 
with cannon and ammunition from the fort, while 
Arnold and his Green Mountain Boys embarked 
in the bateaux. 

Arnold outsailed the other craft, surprised the 
post of St. Johns, and made its garrison prisoners; 
captured the King's sloop of seventy tons, with 
two brass pieces and seven men ; took four bateaux 
and destroyed several others; and then, learning 
that troops were on the way from Montreal and 
Chamblee, spread his sails to the breeze and 
swept up the lake with his prizes and his prison- 
eis, and some valuable stores. 

On the way he met Allen and the bateaux. 
Salutes were exchanged, cannon answering to 
musketry. Learning from Arnold the particulars 
of his victory, Allen determined to push on and 
occupy the vacated post. The Canadian rein- 
fo cement had already taken possession on his ar- 
rival, so he returned to Ticonderoga. 

This series of brilliant exploits was hailed as 



THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 69 

if in requital for the recent acts of Britisli atroci- 
ty, and as an omen of a brighter future for the 
colonies. To the adherents of the Crown it must 
have been the occasion of astonishment and 
alarm. It drew public attention to the prowess 
of the Green Mountain Boys ; and their leaders, 
from being denominated outlaws, were now ex- 
tolled as patriots. 

The capture of those frontier posts impressed 
the American people with a sense of their ability 
to cope with the disciplined soldiers of England, 
and helped some to decide for independence who 
had trembled in the balance, and at the same 
time contributed to render preparations for de- 
fense more prompt and effectual. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

EXPEDITION INTO CANADA 

Although these dashing exploits met with the 
unqualitied approval of public seutimeut through- 
out the country, yet Congress for a time wavered 
as to the disposition of the captured fortresses. 
An endorsement of those victories by that bod}' 
would destroy ail chances of an ultimate recon- 
ciliation with England, of whicli some entertauied 
strong hopes ; others thought the day for a 
peaceable settlement had passed, and insisted that 
those victories should be followed by energetic 
action. The Green Mountain Boys kept posses- 
sion of the forts until Congress had, so to speak, 
legitimated their capture, and by its order. Colo- 
nel Hin man's regiment of Connecticut troops was 
dis, matched to relieve thtm. 



THE GREEN MOUNTiMN BOYS 71 

Another question had arisen as to which 
should have the credit of capturing the posts, Al- 
len or Arnold. Both had sent dispatches to the 
provincial authorities, with an account of the cap- 
ture, each claiming the honor of victory. " Colo- 
nel Allen,'' wrote Arnold to the Massachusetts 
committee of safety, *' is a proper man to head 
his own wild people, but is entirely unacquainted 
with military service ; and as I am the only per- 
son who has been legally authorized to take com- 
mand of this place, I am determined to insist on 
my rights, . . and shall keep the fort at every 
hazard, until I have further orders." The Massa- 
chusetts authorities referred the matter to Con- 
gress. 

Allen had written to the Albany committee for 
men and provisions to enable him to maintain his 
conquest. That committee feared retaliatory 
measures from Gi eat Britain, and asked advice of 
the New York committee; but tliat body was al- 
so unequal to the task of acting in a matter of 
such moment, and referred likewise to Coni^ress. 



72 THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 

Both Allen and Arnold were ambitious for fur- 
ther laurels, and each were anxious to lead an ex- 
pedition into Canada. Allen wrote to the New 
York authorities in this strain : '' If the Colonies 
would suddenly push an army of two or three 
thousand strong into Canada, they might make 
an easy conquest, except a reinforcement from 
England should prevent it. Such a diversion 
would weaken Gage, and insure us Canada. I 
wish to God America wouid, at this critical junc- 
ture, exert herself agreeably to the indignity of- 
fered her by a tyiannicai ministry. She might 
rise on eagles' wings, and mount up to glory, 
freedom and immortal honor, if she did but know 
and exert her strength. Fame is now hoveling 
over her head. A vast continent must now sink 
to slavery, poverty, horror and bondage, or rise 
to unconquerable freedom, immense wealth, inex- 
piessibie felicity, and immortal fame. I will lay 
my life on it, thac with fifteen hundred men and 
a proper train of artillery I will take Montreal. 
Provided I could be thus fur^iished, and if an ar- 



THE GREEN MOUNT YIN BOYS 73 

my could command the field, it would be no insa- 
perable difficulty to take Quebec." A letter in 
similar strain was written by Arnold to the Gov- 
ernor of Connecticut. 

About this time Captain Kemember Baker was 
killed by an Indian in the British service. This 
being the first blood shed in the northern depart- 
ment, his death made more noise in the country 
than wou'd the loss of a hundred men toward the 
close of the war. 

On the arrival, at Ticonderoga, of Colonel 
Hinman's Connecticut troops, the greater part of 
the Green Mountain Boys returned to their homes. 
Ethan Allen and Seth Warner repaired to Con- 
gress to get pay for their men, and to solicit au- 
thority to raise a new regiment. They were re- 
ceived with distinguished marks of honor by that 
body. The same pay was awarded them that was 
given to the Continental troops ; and it was recom- 
mended to the New York Convention that a corps 
of Green Mountain Boys should be raised to serve 
under officers of their own choosing. 



74 THE GREEN MOtJNTAlN B05fS 

To the Convention of New York Allen and 
Warner accordingly repaired — the province on 
whose statute books was recorded an unrepealed 
act of outlawry against them — and boldly asked 
for an audience. There was at first some demur- 
ring as to their admission to the Hall of Assem- 
bly ; but patriotism, and an overruling necessity, 
plead in their behalf. A regiment of Green 
Mountain Boys, five hundred strong, was de- 
creed, and the people of the Grants were notified 
of the resolve, and requested to raise the regi- 
ment. 

Congress was not at first inclined to favor an 
invasion into Canada, but subsequent develop- 
ments induced a change in its plans. The recent 
exploits on the Lake had produced a favorable ef- 
fect on the Canadians, and it was thought they 
would fl(;ck to the patiiot standard were it un- 
furled among them with an imposing force. Be- 
sides, another effectual blow in this quarter might 
paralyze all hostility, if given before there had 
been time to rally. 



THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 75 

That body thought GeDeial Scha3'ler a fit 
leader for the undertaking, in which sentiment it 
was heartily seconded by Washington. Schuyler 
at once set about his duties amid difficulties that 
well nigh distracted him. He had calculated on 
being joined at a certain date by the regiment of 
Oreen Mountain Boys which Allen and Warner 
bad undertaken to raise in the Grants. But a 
qaarrel had ensued between those brothers in 
arms, which fiiled the Green Mountains with dis- 
cord and party feuds. The election of officers 
took place on the 27th of July, by committees 
from the different townships. Ethan Allen had 
been passed by, and Setli Warner nominated a 
Lieutenant-Colonel of the regiment. This was a 
•crushing blow to the ambition of Allen. He said 
in his letters from camp : "■ I find myself in the 
favor of the officers of the army, and the younger 
Green Mountain Boys ; but the old farmers on 
the Hampshire Giants, who do not incline to go 
to war, and whom I have saved from the en- 
croachments of New York, have met in a commit- 



76 THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOrS 

tee meeting, and in their nominations have wholly 
omitted me." Allen repaired to Ticonderoga, 
where he was retained to act as pioneer on the 
Canadian frontier. 

The expedition against Canada had been de- 
termined on. Arnold, more fortunate that his ri- 
val, had attained the object of his ambition, which 
was no less than the command of a force against 
Canada: he was to proceed by way of the Kenne- 
bec River. 

At the beginning of September, Gen. Schuy- 
ler, w^ho commanded the main expedition, was 
stationed with his little army at Isle Aux Noix, at 
the outlet of Lake Cham plain. From this point 
he sent out Colonel Ethan Alien and Major 
Brown to reconnoitre the country, distribute 
friendly addresses among the people, and ascer- 
tain their feelings. Then proceeding along the 
Sorel River, he approached the fort at St. Johns, 
when a cannonade opened, and a slight acti(;n en- 
sued. Night coming on, they cast up a small in- 
trenchment and encamped. Owing to unfavora- 



THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 



77 



ble intelligence tliey withdrew to Isle Aiix Noix 
to await the arrival of artillery and reinforce- 
ments. 

Meanwhile, Allen returned from his reconnoi- 
teriug expedition, of which he gave a most en- 
couraging report. The Canadian captains of the 
militia were ready, he said, to join the Americans 
whenever they should appear with sufficient 
force. He had held talks, too, with the Indians, 
and found them well disposed. He was con- 
vinced that an inroad into the province would 
meet with a hearty cooperation. 

Preparations were made for a second invest- 
ment of St. Johns, and Ethan Allen was sent to 
beat up for recruits among the people he had 
lately visited, while Major Brown was dispatched 
with one hundred and thirty men to make friends 
in the vicinity of Chamblee, and form a junction 
with the army as soon as it should arrive at St. 
(Johns. 

General Schuyler had been for some time the 
victim of a complication of maladies. When ev- 



78 THE GKEEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 

erj thing was in readiness for his departure, he 
was attacked by a severe access of his disorder, 
which compelled him to turn over the conduct of 
the expedition to General Kichaid Montgomery. 
He then set out in a covered barge for Ticonder- 
oga. An hour after his departure he met Colonel 
Warner with one hundred and fifty Green Moun- 
tain Boys, the first that had reported of the new 
regiment. Some had deserted, and the remain- 
der were at Crown Point, whence they were about 
to embark. About three hundred of the regiment 
finally joined the expedition. 

The investment of St. Johns was begun, yet it 
proceeded but slowly. A letter had been received, 
meantime, from Colonel Allen, giving high hopes 
of further reinforcement. '* I am now," wrote he, 
"at the palish of St. Ours, four leagues from 
Sorel to the South. I have two hundred and fif- 
ty Canadians under arms. As I march they gath- 
er fast. You may rely on it that I shall join you 
in about thiee days with five hundred or more 
Canadiau Volunteers. I coald raise one or two 



THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 79 

thousand in a single week's time; but I will first 
visit the army with a less number, and if njces- 
sary, go again recruiting. Those who used to be 
enemies to our cause come, cap in hand, to me ; 
and I swear by the Lord I can raise three times 
the number of oar army in Canada, provided you 
continue the siege. The eyes of all America, na}' 
of Europe, are or will be on the economy of this 
army, and the consequences attendmg it." 

Colonel Etliau Allen Vvas on his way to St. 
Johns when he met Major Brown with his detach- 
ment. A conversation ensued, during which 
Brown remarked that the garrison at Montreal 
did not exceed thirty men, and might easily be 
surprised. Alien's nature was instantly aroused. 
Here was an opportunity for another bold stroke 
like that at Ticonderoga. A plan was forthwith 
agreed upon. Allen was to return to a point 
nearly opposite Montreal, and cross the river, by 
means of canoes, a little below the town in the 
night ; while Brown agreed to cross with two 
hundred men a little above; and the two detach- 



80 THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 

nients were to attack Montreal simultaneously at 
opposite points. 

The two parties, who were several miles from 
each other, mutually agreed that in the event of 
either being hindered from coming at the time 
appointed, eaily notice should be given to the 
othei'. The night proved windy, and Brown, 
judging it dangerous to attempt crossing the riv- 
er in canoes, went quietly to rest. Allen, appre- 
hending no danger from the wind, on the night 
of the i^4:th of September sent the few canoes in 
his possession repeatedly across the river, iirst 
taking the precaution of stationing guards in the 
roads to prevent any alarm reaching Montreal. 
As he had heard nothing to the contrary from 
Brown, he supposed that officer to be carrying 
out his part of the enterprise. 

The day advanced, but no signal came from 
Major Brown. It was evident he had not crossed. 
Allen would gladly have retraced the steps he 
had taken, but it was too late. Information had 
been conveyed to the town, and a force of forty 



THE GREEN MOUNT \IN BOYS 81 

regular troops were sent out to attack him, A 
smart action ensued ; most of Allen's CaDrulian 
recruits gave way and £ed ; a number of Ameri- 
cans were slain ; at last he surrendered to Major 
Campbell, honorable terms being promised, to- 
gether with thirty -eight of his men who re- 
mainod faithful to him. 

The prisoners were marched into town and 
delivered up to Colonel Prescott, the Command- 
ant. Their rough appearance and rude equip- 
ments became the subject of much adverse com- 
ment. " Their leader," says Irving, " albeit a 
Colonel, must have seemed worthy of the band ; 
for Allen was arrayed in rough frontier style; a 
deer-skin jacket, a vest and breeches of coarse 
serge, woisted stockings, stout shoes, and a red 
woolen cap." We give Allen's own account of 
the reception he met with : 

"Re [the Commandant] asked rae ray name, 
which I told him. He then asked me whether I 
was that Colonol Allen that took Ticonderoga. I 
told him I was the very man. Then he shook his 



82 



THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 



cane over my head, calling me many hard names, 
among which he frequently used the word rebel, 
and put himself in a great rage." 

Notwithstanding Major Campbell's promise 
of honorable treatment of his prisoners, Allen 
was put on board the Gaspe schooner of war, and 
heavily ironed — Prescott giving him the parting 
assurance that he would yet grace a halter at Ty- 
burn. From his place of confinement he wrote 
the subjoined letter to the General : 

Honorable Sir : — In the wheel of transitory 
events I find myself a prisoner, and in irons. 
Probably your honor has certain reasons to me 
inconceivable, though I challenge an instance of 
this sort of economy of the Americans during the 
late war to any officers of the Crown. On my 
part, I have to assure your honor, that when I 
had the command and took Captain Delaplace 
and Lieutenant Fulton, with the garrison of Ti- 
conderoga, I treated them with every mark of 
friendship and generosity, the evidence of which 



THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 83 

is notorious, eveo in Canada. I have only to add, 
that I expect an honorable and humane treat- 
ment, as an officer of my rank and merit should 
bear, and subscribe myself, your honor's most 

obedient servant, 

Ethan Allen." 

The following is appended by the British an- 
notator : "N. B. — The author of the above letter 
is an outlaw, and a reward is offered by the New 
York Assembly for apprehending him." 

After the prisoners had been conducted into 
Montreal, General Prescott gave orders to a ser- 
geant and file of men, to put to death some Can- 
adians who had been taken in arms wdth Colonel 
Allen. They forthwith went, with bayonets 
fixed, to execute their commision. Allen, under- 
standing their purpose, stepped between them 
and the Canadians, and told the guard to thrust 
him with their bayonets if they must shed hu- 
man blood, but to spare the Canadians who de- 



84 THE GKEEN MOUNTAIN CO?S 

served no censure, as what they had done was in 
obedience to his orders. The guards hesitated, 
and Preseott being consulted, that officer revoked 
the order* 

During Allen's imprisonment he was confined 
on board a man-of-war, commanded by Captain 
Liftlejohn, who exercised much clemency towards 
his prisoner, and I'emoved his irons except vvhen 
military officers came on board. A dispute arose 
between the Captain and an officer, resultiiig in 
arrangments for a duel. The Ca])tain requested 
A]\eii to serve as his friend. The latter replied 
"if it v.'as consistent with his situation he would 
do himself the honor." The Captain answered 
that "he could change his dress, and go on shore 
in disguise, and no questions would be asked,'* 
The parties went ashore, but by the interposition 
of friends the dispute was settled. 

At a later period, Colonel Allen was put on 
board a ship under command of Captain Smith. 

* Ira Allen's History ('f Vermont. 



THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 85 

He was heavily ironed, and confined in the most 
dreary jiart of the vessel. Wlien fairly out to sea, 
Captain Smith ordered Allen's irons taken off, 
and requested him to eat at his own table while 
he remained on shipboard. The Colonel came 
from his dark abode and thanked the Captain for 
his generous conduct, remarking "he did not 
know it would ever be in his power to return the 
compliment." That cfficer replied — "gentlemen 
did not know when they might render essential 
services to one another." 

On board was a great number of prisoners, 
who laid a plan to kill Captain Smith, and run off 
with the ship. When the project was ripe for ex- 
ecution, Allen was led into the secret. He firmly 
told them if they murdered Captain Smith they 
must also murder him, at which they were greatly 
alarmed. He quieted their fears by saying, " drop 
your plans, and I will be as faithful to you as I 
have been to Captain Smith." Here the matter 
ended, and the Captain never knew of his danger, 
nor of the service of his "lateful friend. 



86 THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 

Information had been received by Gen. Wash- 
ington of the indignities heaped upon Colonel 
Allen, captured by Prescott when Ccmmandaut 
at Montreal, and who was now, himself, a prison- 
er in the hands of the Ameiicans. Washington 
wrote to General Kowe to ihe following import ; 

" Sir : — We have just been informed of a cir- 
cumstance, which, were it not so well authentic- 
ated, I should scarcely think credible. It is that 
Colonel Alien, who, with his small party, was de- 
feated and made prisoner near Montreal, has been 
treated without regard to decency, humauity, or 
the ruierf of war; that he has Leen thrown into 
irons, and suffers all the hardships inflicted upon 
common felons. 

" I think it is my duty, sir, to demand, and do 
expect from you, an eclaircissement on this sub- 
ject. At the same time, I flatter myself, from the 
character v/hich Mr. Howe bears as a man of hon- 
or, gentleman and soldier, that my demand will 
meet with his approbation. I must take the lib- 
erty, also, of inforiniug you that I shall consider 



THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 87 

your silence as a confirmation of the report, and 
farther assuring you, that whatever treatment 
Colonel Allen receives, whatever fate he under- 
goes, such exactly shall be the fate of Brigadier 
Prescott, now in our hauds. The law of retalia- 
tion is not only justifiable in the eyes of God and 
man but absolutely a duty." 

Washington observed in a letter to Congress : 
*'My reason for pointing out Prescott as the ob- 
ject who is to suffer for Alien's fate, is that I am 
given to understand that Prescott is the cause of 
Allen's sufferings. I thought best to be decisive 
on the occasion, as did the generals whom I con- 
sulted thereon." 

Shortly afterwards, Washington received a 
letter from Levi Allen, a brother to the Colonel, 
and of like enterprising and enthusiastic charac- 
ter. It was dated from Salisbury, Connecticut, 
and enclosed affidavits of the harsh treatment his 
brother had experienced, and of his being confined 
on board of the Gaspe, "with a bar of iron fixed 
to one of his legs, and iron to his hands." Levi 



88 7"I I GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 

pi'oposed to go to England, where he supposed 
his brother was, raise a mob and set him free, 
bribe the jailor, or in some way deliver him from 
confinement. Washington kindl}^ advised against 
Levi's wild project. The measure of retaliation 
was actually meted out to Prescott, of which 
Washington sjjoke in his letter to Howe. 

The efforts of Washington and Congress to 
effect the exchange of Ethan Allen, " the brave, 
but eccentric captor of Ticonderoga," were merito- 
rious. The daring exploits of that chieftain had 
cost him a v/orld of trouble. " Thrown into pris- 
on as a felon ; threatened with a halter ; carried 
to England to be tried for treason ; confined in 
Pendennis Castle ; retransported to Halifax ; and 
now a prisoner in New Yoik." He wiites: ''I 
have suffered everything short of death. I am 
fired with adequate indignation to revenge both 
my own and my country's wrongs. I am experi- 
mentally certain I have fortitude sufficient to face 
the invaders of America in the place of danger, 
spread with all the horrors of war. Provided you 



THE GREEN MOUNT A.IN BOYS 89 

can hit upon some measure to procure my liber- 
ty, I will appropriate my remaining days, and 
freely hazard my life in the service of the colony, 
and maintaining- the American Empire. I thought 
to have enrolled my name in the list of American 
heroes, but was nipped in the bud." 

Allen was finally exchanged for Colonel Camp- 
bell, after three years of captivity. Washington, 
in a letter recommending that something be done 
for him, observes : " His gratitude and firmness 
sr^emed to have placed him out of the reach of 
misfortune. There is an original something 
about him that commands admiration, and his 
long captivity and siiffeiings have only served to 
increase, if possible, his enthusiastic zeal. He 
appears very desirous of rendering his services to 
the States, and of being employed ; and at the 
satne time he does not discover any ambition for 
high rank." On the strength of this recommenda- 
tion. Congress voted Allen a brevet commission 
of Colonel. 

Montgomery, during his campaign in Canada, 



90 THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 

retained Colonel Warner and his regiment of 
Green Mountain Boys, who contributed their ser- 
vices to the downfall of the strongholds of Cham- 
blee, St. Johns, and Montreal ; having served out 
the time for which they had enlisted, they were 
dismissed and returned home. 

In 1776, soon after the death of Montgomery 
at the storminof of Quebec, the Hampshire Grants 
raised a second regiment under Colonel Warner, 
which marched to Quebec, and gave essential re- 
lief to the besieging army of that place. At the 
beginnii->g of May the siege was raised in conse- 
qucDce of the bad state of health of the troops, 
and the arrival of reinforcements from England. 
General Sullivan conducted the retreat in a mas- 
terly manner; the army arrived at Crown Point 
in due time, in a deplorable state. 



CHAPTER IX. 

ESTABLISHMENT OF A CIVIL GOVERNMENT. 

This disastrous retreat exposed the frontiers 
of the Grants to an invasive war ; most of the in- 
habitants of Onion River and along the shore of 
Lake Champlain instantly removed, and the mili- 
tia was organized for the general defense. Inter- 
nal dissensions were rife regarding the establish- 
ment of a civil government. Some were for join- 
ing with New Hampshire; others were in favor 
of forming a new state ; and a few proposed unit- 
ing with New York during the war ; but this last 
too much effected the title to lands to be serious- 
ly considered. 

Vermont was likely to be devastated as a com- 
mon battle ground ; yet the people met in Con- 
vention at Dorset, January, 1776, and drew up a 



92 THE GEEEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 

l^etition to Congress, iu which they declared their 
readiness to furnish their quota of men in sup- 
port of the war, and bearing an equal proportion 
of the expense, and asked that their rights uoight 
be secured them. Congress recommended that 
they submit to the authority of New York for the 
present, and assist their countrymen in the con- 
test with Great Britain. 

Colonel Allen being in captivity, Baker dead, 
Warner, Cockran, and others, engaged in tlis ar- 
my, the Council of the New Hampshire Grants 
w^as greatly weakened, and months passed with- 
out any decisive results. The government of the 
province was conducted by committees and con- 
ventions as before the war, though the bitterness 
of the dispute with New York seemed to be lost 
in the common cause of the struggling colonies ; 
for those who had been outlawed for high treason 
against the government of New York, now passed 
freely through that province. 

The following were some of the reasons for 
forming a new State: 



THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 93 

A new government would perpetuate the 
name of the Green Mountain Boys, and the honor 
of their leaders. 

A new government would establish the title 
to their lands under the New Hampshire Grants, 
and provide that unappropriated lands might be 
disposed of to defray the expenses of the war. 

The active part taken by her citizens in the 
taking of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, would 
entitle the State to a favorable consideration by 
CoDgress. 

That upon the revolutionary principles adopt- 
ed by Congress, Vermont was the oldest State in 
America. 

A call was issued for a convention, which, 
after several adjournments, on the 15th of Jan- 
uary, 1777, declared the district of New Hamp- 
shire Grants to be a free and independent State. 
A declaration and a petition to Congress were 
drawn up, and a committee appointed to pre- 
sent the same. 

New York, alarmed at the possible conse- 



94 THE GKEEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 

queDces of the measure, wrote to Congress, 
through the President of the Committee of Safe- 
ty, as follows : 

"I am directed to inform Congress that by 
the arts and influence of certain designing men, 
a part of this state has been prevailed on to re- 
volt. Information we have received would lead 
us to believe some persons in our sister States 
have fostered and fomented these divisions. But 
as those informations tend to accuse some of your 
honorable body being concerned in this scheme, 
decency obliges us to suspend our beaef. The 
Convention are sorry to ob^ierve that by confer- 
ring a commission upon Colonel Warner, with 
authority to name the officers of a regiment to be 
raised independently of the Legislature of this 
State, and withia that part of it which hath lately 
declared itself independent, Congress hath given 
too much weight to the insinuations of those who 
pretend that your honorable body are determined 
to support those insurgents ; especially as this 
Colonel Wainer hath been constantly and invaria- 



THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 95 

bly opposed to the legislature of this State, and 
hath been on that very account proclaimed an 
outlaw by the late government thereof. It is ab- 
solutely necessary to recall the commissions given 
to Colonel Warner, and the officers under him, as 
nothing else will do justice to us.'' Congress 
voted to dismiss the petition of Vermont. 

Notwithstanding this rebuff, the people re- 
solved to draft a constitution for the new State. A 
committee was also appointed to visit the officer 
in command at Ticonderoga, and consult with 
him respecting the defense of the frontiers. 

While the committee was at that post, Bur- 
goyne appeared in force on Lake Champiain, and 
resting at Crown Point sent a detachment of 
three hundred, mostly Indians, to land at the 
mouth of Otter Creek, and ravage the frontier 
settlements. The commanding officer at Ticon- 
deroga refused to send off any of his troops in 
aid of the panic-stricken families, but allowed Coh 
Warner to go with the committee to raise a vol- 
unteer force from the Green Mountain Boys. 



96 



THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 



A hasty levy was raised, with which the raiders 
were promptly repelled. 

All who were members of the Convention left 
the militia and repaired to Windsor, July 4th. 
A draft of the constitution was laid before the 
convention and read. The matter under consid- 
eration was new, of great moment, and required 
serious deliberation ; it was debated step by step, 
and paragrai^h by paragraph. While absorbed 
in their duty, an express arrived with tidings that 
Ticonderoga had been evacuated, and that the 
whole frontier of the Hampshire Grants was ex- 
posed to the ravages of the enemy. 

At this awful crisis the Convention was for 
adjourning, as many of the members had families 
residing in the portions likely to be overrun by 
the enemy and their Indian allies. Indications 
of a terrible thunder storm among the mountains 
having put all thoughts of immediately going 
home out of the question, some of the more 
thoughtful called attention to their unfinished 
work. In the midst of the peals of thunder, the 



THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 



97 



incessant flashes of lightning and the tumult of 
the elements without, the constitution was read, 
paragraph by paragraph, for the last time ; and 
as the sun broke forth upon a smiling landscape, 
invigorated with the summer shower, Vermont was 
in possession of a constitution, and stood pledged 
to its support. A Council of Safety was instituted 
to act during the recess, the Convention ad- 
journed, and the members betook themselves to 
their homes. 

Three days afterward, this " outlaw " Warner 
and his proscribed Green Mountain regiment were 
engaged in deadly conflict, on the soil of Vermont, 
with the British and Indian foes of America, on 
the memorable battle field of Hubbardton, in 
which Warner's force was decimated to about 
ninety men. 



CitAPTER X. 



BATTLE OP BENNINGTON. 



The British were of opinion that the people 
of the Grants were opposed to the Revolution, 
land would join the standard of England the mo* 
ment a force was marched into the territory. 
This belief was founded on the dissensions with 
New York, the unsatisfactory resolutions of Con- 
gress, and the charges of outlawry brought 
against the people of the Grants by their neigh- 
bors. 

Bennington was a central place, whither the 
live stock had been collected, and whence the 
American army derived its supplies. It was like- 
wise a depot of wheeled vehicles and grain de- 
posits, and was guarded by relieving bodies of 
inilitia. Bennington was to be surprised. The 



THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 99 

country was to be scoured from Rockingham to 
Otter Creek. All public magazines were to be 
sacked. All cattle belonging to royalists, and 
which could be spared by their owners, were to 
be paid for ; and all the rebel herds and fiocks 
were to be driven away. 

Colonel Skene, the noted royalist after whom 
Skenesborough (now Whitehall) was named, held 
a position in the expedition : indeed, it was owing 
largely to his representations that it was under- 
taken. Lieut.-Col. Baum was sent in charge of the 
detachment. He had in his command two hun- 
dred dismounted dragoons of the regiment of 
Riedesel, Captain Frazer's British marksmen, 
some Canadian Tories, and Indians, in all amount- 
ing to about five hundred men, with two pieces of 
cannon. It was expected the dragoons would 
supply themselves with horses in the course of 
the foray, and a skeleton corps of royalists would 
be filled up with recruits. 

Burgoyne encamped on the east side of the 
Hudson, so as to be near at hand in case assist- 



100 THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 

ance was wanted. Baum set out from camp at 
break of day on the 13th of August, 1777. The 
state of the roads, the excessive heat, and want of 
horses and wagons, all contributed to render the 
progress slow and tedious. A few horses were 
brought in, and some wagons captured ; but the 
inhabitants managed to remove most of their ef- 
fects in time. The Indians killed or drove off all 
that came into their hands, unless they were paid 
in cash for their prizes. 

Baum found the people of Bennington ready 
to give him a reception. The veteran Stark was 
there, v/ith eight hundred New Hampshire mili- 
tia ; and Colonel Warner found himself at the 
head of about six hundred Green Mountain Boys, 
hastily collected to repel the invaders. Thus 
once more the cause of American Independence 
was to rest largely on the valor and patriotism 
of the outlawed Warner and his band of brave 
followers. 

Stark had, with difficulty, been prevailed on 
to take the command. He had a farm among the 



THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 101 

Vermont Mountains, and his sympathies were in 
harmony with her people ; he, too, was smarting 
under a sense of the injustice of Congress. He 
only took up arms, he said, in a moment of exi- 
gency, to defend the neighborhood which other- 
wise would be exposed to the ravages of the 
enemy. 

On the 15th, Stark sent forward a detachment 
under Colonel Gregg, and on the following day 
advanced with his own men to support them. 
He met them about five miles ofi*, in full retreat, 
with Baum and his force a mile or more in the 
rear. 

Stark now halted, and deployed his men for 
action, Baum drew up his troops and formed 
them in a strong position on high ground at a 
bend of a little river, and began to intrench. 
Stark fell back to await reinforcements, and to 
entice Baum from his intrenchments. A skirmish 
took place in which thirty of Baum's men and 
two Indian Chiefs were killed. 

The incessant rain of the 15th prevented a 



102 THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 

general engagement, but there was continual 
skirmishing. Baum employed the interim in 
strengthening his position ; and finding the op- 
posite force much larger than he anticipated, he 
had sent off in ail haste to Burgoyne for reinforce- 
ments. The latter immediately detached Col. 
Breyman with five hundred Hessian Grenadiers 
and infantry, and two six pounders, leaving behind 
him his tents, baggage and standards. So bad 
were tlie roads, that Breyman was nearly two 
days getting little more than tweiity miles. 

Meanwhile expresses had been sent in every 
direction by the Americans, and recruits were 
pouring in from all parts of the country : — among 
them, Colonel Symonds with a body of Berkshire 
militia. 

On the morning of the 16th, the sun was 
shining brightly, and Stark prepared to attack 
Baum in his intrenchments, although, for the 
most part, his men had only ordinary firelocks 
without bayonets. He separated his force into 
two divisions ; one was detached to the enemy's 



THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 103 

left under Colo.iel Nicbols; a second, under CjI. 
Herrick, was sent to the rear of his right ; these 
two were to join and attack the British in the 
rear, while the third was to make a demonstra- 
tion in front. 

Col. Skene and other royalists, when they saw 
the Americans issuing from the woods on differ- 
ent sides, endeavored to persuade Baum that 
these were some of the Tories flocking to his 
standard. The Indians were the first to discov- 
er (he eiror. "The woods are full of Yankees," 
they shouted ; and retreated, yelling like demons, 
between the troops of Nichols and Heriick. 
Several of them were killed as they ran the gaunt- 
let. 

At the first sound of firearms. Stark, who had 
remained behind in camp, mounted his horse and 
gave the word forward! The homely speech 
made by him when in sight of the enemy is famil- 
iar to every school boy. " Now, my men ! there 
are the red-coats ! Before night they are ours, or 
Molly Stark will be a widow ! " 



104 



THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 



Bauiii found bimself assaulted on every side, 
but he fought with a dogged stubbornness and 
determination. He planted his cannon advanta- 
geously, and his fire was t£P»ctive. Stark, who 
was in the battle of Bunker Hill, and in engage- 
ments in the French war, says it w^as the hottest 
fight he ever saw. He inspired his men with his 
own impetuosity. They drove the royalists upon 
the Hessians, and pressing after them, mounted 
the works with incredible fury, A Hessian eye- 
Vv'itness declared the rebels fought with despera- 
tion, advancing to within eight paces of the loaded 
cannon to take surer aim at the artillerists. The 
latter were slain and the cannon captured. The 
royalists and Canadians took to flight and es- 
caped to the woods. The Hessians maintained 
their ground until the last cartridge was expend- 
ed ; then taking their broadswords, Baum and his 
men attempted to cut their way to a road in the 
woods. Many were killed in the attempt, and 
the survivors were taken prisoners. Taum was 
among the wounded. 



THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 105 

The victors now dispersed ; some to collect 
the booty, or seek refreshments, and others to 
care for the wounded or look after the prisoners. 
At this juncture Breyman's tardy reinforcement 
came up, making its slow and toilsome way to 
the scene of action, with numbers augmented by 
many of the enemy that had fled. Stark made 
superhuman efforts to rally his men, but all were 
in hopeless confusion. Just as the day seemed 
lost to the Americans, the standard of Colonel 
Warner came in sight, borne by his six hundred 
Green Mountain Boys, fresh from repose, and 
eager for the fray; for were not the safety of 
their homes, and the fate of their wives and 
children, dependent on the issues of their arms ? 

The shock and tumult of battle broke out 
anew as these newly arrived reinforcements joined 
in deadly strife, and the ground was to be fought 
over once more. It was four in the afternoon 
when this second action commenced. Stark's 
men rallied, and entered again into the fight; 
Col. Breyman's command was driven before the 



106 'tHE 6REE>I MOtNTAm BOtS 

patriot forces from wood to wood, and from hill 
to hill, until sunset. The last stand of the enemy 
Was at Van Shaick's mill, where, having expended 
all their ammunition, the enemy retreated under 
cover of night, leaving two field pieces and all 
their baggage in the hands of the Amel'icans. 

Burgoyne was awakened in the night with the 
intelligence that Baum had met and surrendered 
to the enemy. Next came word that Breyman 
Was engaged in severe and doubtful conflict. 
iDrums beat to arms. The whole camp was 
roused, and Burgoyne was preparing to march 
his whole army to Breyman's assistance, when 
word came in that he was on his way back in safe- 
ty. The main army remained in camp at the 
Batten Kiln, but Burgoyne forded that stream and 
pushed forward until he met Breyman and his 
troops, haggard and fatigued from hard fighting 
and incessant marching in the hot weather. Four 
brass field pieces, nine hundred dragoon swords, 
one thousand stand of arms, and four ammuni- 
tion wagons were the fruits of the victory. Thir- 



THE GHEEN MOUNTAI"N BOyS 107 

ty-two officers and four hundred and sixty-four 
privates were taken prisoners. The Americans 
lost one hundred in killed and wounded. The 
British killed could not be ascertained, as many 
had fallen in the woods. Stark remarked, that 
had there been another hour of daylight, the 
whole British force would have fallen into their 
hands. 

Tidings of the affair at Bennington reached 
"Washington just before he moved his camp from 
the neighborhood of Philadelphia, and it re- 
lieved his mind of a load of anxiety. In a letter 
to Putnam he wrote : "As there is not now tlie 
least danger of General Howe's going to New 
England, I hope the whole force of the country 
will turn out, and by following the great stroke 
struck by General Stark near Bennington, entire- 
ly crush Burgoyne, who seems to be in want of 
almost everything." 

The compliment paid to the troops of Ver- 
mont by General Burgoyne, was to this effect: 
** The district of the New Hampshire Grants, a 



108 THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 

wilderness little known in the last war, now 
abounds with the most active, rebellious and har- 
dy race of men on the continent, who hang like a 
gathering storm, ready to burst on my left." 
This was written shortly previous to his capitu- 
lation. This brilliant double victory at Ben- 
nington, by relieving New England from appre- 
hensions, and enabling the patriots to concen- 
trate their forces against Buigoyne, resulted in 
forcing that General to surrender, on the plains 
of Saratoga, as noble an army as was ever sent 
to subdue a country. The news spread through 
America and Europe, sealed the alliance between 
France and the United States, and so secured 
their independence. 

In the next chapter we will relate how this 
timely service of the Green Mountain Boys was 
requited by Congress. It is not within the range 
of human wisdom to say what would have been 
the effect on the American cause, had the de- 
mand of New York been complied with, and 
Stark and Warner been stripped of their com mis- 



THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 109 

sioDS before tbe battle of Benniugton. The ene- 
my would have been left to devastate the country 
at then- pleasure, and by diverting the patriot 
stores in and around Bennington to the use of 
Burgoyne's aimy, thereby rendered his position 
well-nigh impregnable. 



CHAPTER XI. 

PRIVATE NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE BRITISH. 

Brilliant and signal as had been the feats of 
these Vermonters with the sword, not less so 
were their acts of diplomacy. One can but be 
impressed with the spectacle of a handful of men 
accomplishing by policy what they could never 
have done by power — for years keeping at bay an 
army of British troops 10,000 strong, hovering 
over and in readiness to swoop down and devas- 
tate their exposed and unprotected frontier, at 
the same time the people were permitted to go 
on unconcernedly about their harvest. 

The claims to independence on the part of 
Vermont were still unacknowledged by Congress, 
and New Yoik was still importunate and vexa- 
tious. The British generals in America endeav- 



THE GREEN MOUNTAEN BOYS 111 

ored to turn these circumstances to their own ac- 
count, by detaching Vermont from the cause of 
the Colonies, and making it a British province. 
The first intimation that the people of Vei mont 
had of this circumstance was conveyed in a letter 
from Colonel Beverly Robinson, dated New York, 
Mar. 30tb, 1780, and delivered to Colonel Ethan 
x4.11en in tbe street at Arlington in July. Alien 
communicated the contents of the letter to Gov- 
ernor Chittenden and some others, but returned 
no answer. 

Meantime, the village of Royalton had been 
sacked and burned by a party of three hundred 
Indians under a British officer, four of the inhab- 
itants killed, and twenty-five taken prisoners. It 
was arranged that the Governor should address a 
communication to General Haldimand, then com- 
manding in Canada, proposing a cartel for the 
exchange of prisoners,— the letter to be sent un- 
der a flag to the enemy's lines. In October, the 
British appeared in great force on tbe lake ; such 
was the alarm that the Legislature, tLen in ses- 



112 THE GREfiN MOUNTAIN BOYS 

sion at Bennington, adjourned, many of the mem- 
bers taking arms and hastening to the frontiers. 

In a few days Colonel Ethan Allen received a 
flag from Carleton, with an answer to Governor 
Chittenden's letter respecting the cartel. With it 
was enclosed a proposition for a truce with Ver- 
mont. Allen agreed to the proposal on condition 
that the frontiers of Vermont should include the 
territory to the Hudson River. This truce, how- 
ever, was not publicly known ; the militia were im- 
mediately disbanded and allowed to return home. 
The militia of New York were also on their fron- 
tiers; not being in the secret, they were surprised 
to see the Vermont troops returning home, and 
still more to learn that the British were retiring 
to Canada. 

In February, 1781, Colonel Robinson wrote 
again to Ethan Allen, enclosing a copy of the for- 
mer letter. He was induced to make another 
trial, he said, " especially as I can now write with 
more autliority, and assure you, that you may ob- 
tain the terms mentioned in the above letter, pro- 



THE GRElEN Mount UN BOYS 113 

vided you and the people of Vermont take a deci* 
Bive and active part with us." 

Allen returned no answer to either of these 
letters, but enclosed them both in a communica^ 
tion to Congress. In that letter he says: " I am 
confident that Congress will not dispute mj^ sin- 
cere attachment to my country, though I do not 
hesitate to say I am fulh^ grounded in opinion 
that Vermont has an indubitable right to agree 
on terms of a cessation of hostilities with Great 
Britain, provided the United States persist in re* 
jecting her application for a union with them 5 
for Vermont, of ail people, would be most miser- 
able, were she obliged to defend the independence 
of the United States, and they at the same time 
at full liberty to overturn and ruin the independ- 
ence of Vermont. I am as resolutely determined 
to defend the independence of Vermont, as Con- 
gress that of the United States , and rather than 
fail, will retire wdth the hardy Green Mountain 
Boys into the desolate caverns of the mountains,- 
and wage war with the devil, hell, and human 



114 THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 

nature at large." This somewhat forcible lan- 
guage was excusable under the circumstances. 

Early in that year, Vermont, by a vote of her 
Legislature, adopted the policy of the States of 
New York, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, 
that had been laying claim to the territory of the 
Grants, and put in her claim of jurisdiction over 
a. large part of each of those States. Thus Ver- 
mont was turning the weapons of her antagonists 
upon themselves. Numbers of representatives 
from the annexed districts took their seats in the 
Vermont assembly. At the time of extending 
her claims, she passed an act of general amnes- 
ty ; this liberal and wise act of lenity had the de- 
sired effect. 

The State of Vermont was at this time in a 
forlorn condition ; torn by intesiine divisions and 
the intrigues of her enemies in Congress: all the 
cannons, nay, eveiy spade and pickaxe taken by 
her valiant sons at Ticonderoga and Crowm Point 
were removed out of the State to Fort George ; 
Colonel Warner's regiment, raised in and for the 



THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 115 

protection of Vermont, was put into Continental 
service, and stationed to defend the frontiers of 
New York, not half so much exposed as Vermont ; 
at the same time New York had recalled her State 
troops from Skenesborough, while an enemy, by- 
coming up Lake Champlain, might land within a 
day's march of hundreds of inhabitants who were 
remaining on their farms. Congress had inter- 
fered with the internal policy of Vermont, by cut- 
ting off her ways and means of raising money and 
men for self defense by the following : " Resolved, 
unanimously, that in the opinion of this body, no 
unappropriated lands or estates, which are or may 
be adjudged forfeited, or confiscated, lying in said 
district [Vermont], ought, until the final deci- 
sion of Congress in the premises, be granted or 
sold." We transcribe, on this topic, the words 
of Ira Allen : 

"Thus left, as she had reason to suppose, by 
the intrigues of those who claimed and coveted her 
fertile soil, to be a prey to the common enemy, 
similar to the fate of their brethren, descendants 



116 THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 

from Counecticut, who settled at Wyoming and 
Susquehanna, and were mostly killed by a party 
of Indians ; their towns and villages burned, and 
their country depopulated (supposed to be throLigh 
the intrigues of land-jobbers), which has since be- 
come a prey to the Pennsylvania claimants, a 
junto similar to the New York monopolists, who 
were then taking every measure that the malig- 
nancy and avarice of human nature could suggest, 
for the destruction of the people of Vermont." 
That there was some foundation for this expla- 
nation of the Wyoming massacre, is made only 
too apparent by subsequent events. 

In April, 1781, Colonel Ira Allen was commis- 
sioned to settle a cartel with the British in Can- 
ada for the exchange of prisoners, and also to pro- 
cure an armistice between the British forces and 
Vermont. This was thought well-nigh impractic- 
able, as the British troops numbered 10,000 effec- 
tive men, which must remain inactive, not being 
able to annoy other States without first annoying 
Vermont, while the latter had only 7,000 men aa 



THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 117 

an offset. But an armistice must be bad, or tbe 
frontiers evacuated until" assistance could come 
from tbe States wbose influence bad rendered 
Vermont defenseless. 

Allen arrived at Isle Aux Noix in due time, 
and was accorded apartments by Major Dundas, 
tbe officer in cbarge. At a convenient time x411en 
observed tbat CoDgress was endeavoring to bring 
Vermont into subjection to New York, but tbat 
tbey, ratber than yield, would see Congress sub- 
jected to tbe Britisb government, provided tbat 
Vermont could be a distinct colony under tbe 
Crown on safe and honorable terms ; and tbat the 
people were not disposed longer to assist a gov- 
ernment wbicb might subject them and their pos- 
terity to New York, under wbicb tbey could nev- 
er be safe in person or property. 

Tbe replication to these observations was, that 
the territory of Vermont could be a colon^^ under 
tbe Crov^-n, with privileges equal to those enjoyed 
by any other colony, and tbat those who assisted 
ill effecting such an event, would be duly hon- 



118 THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 

ored and rewarded. Much conversation passed on 
the subject, of which General Haldiinand was 
duly informed. Nothing decisive was accom- 
plished, but the negotiation caused the army to 
remain inactive, which was a matter of congrat- 
ulation to Allen. 

The cartel was completed, and a verbal agree- 
ment entered into that hostilities should cease 
between Great Britain and those under the juris- 
diction of Vermont, until after the sitting of the 
Legislature of that state. On Colonel Alien's 
return several influential jjeopie waited on him, 
desiiing to be advised whether to lemain or re- 
move to the inteiior portions of the country. 
Allen told them to remain quiet on their farms, 
and not think it strange though they had no a] my 
to protect the frontier ; and that should any event 
make it necessary, for the safety of their families, 
to move, they might depend on seasonable infor- 
mation. This immunity of Vermont from the ag- 
gressions of the British, led the people on the 
borders to be all the more anxious to be annexed 




First Church in Vermont. 



THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 119 

to her territory, as a measure of safety to their 
families aiid to their property. 

Grave suspicions having become rife that nego- 
tiations were being carried on between Veimont 
and the British in Canada, several men of discein- 
ment among the Whigs were sent from Vermont 
and the neighboring States to attend the sessions 
of the Legislature, to watch if there might be 
measures pursuing which would be eventually in- 
jurious to the common cause of the United States. 

On the other hand, the British in Canada v/ere 
anxious to know whether Alien and his friends 
would be faithful, and so conduct matters as to 
justify a cessation of hosthities. With these ob- 
jects in view, their representatives attended the 
sessions ; as the Assembly convened in the meet- 
ing house the spectators took seats in the gal- 
leries. 

Id a few days both houses joined in a commit- 
tee to consider the subject of Ira Allen's mission 
to Canada. The Governor proceeded to state 
the facts of the settlement of the cartel, and that 



120 THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 

if fuitber paiticuJars were desired, Colonel Allen 
was then present and could best inform them. 
Ou being requested to speak, Allen made his state- 
ment, which showed the British had exhibited 
great generosity in the transaction ; and after 
stating sundry things, concluded with the remark 
that if any member, or auditor in the gallery, 
wished to ask further questions, he was ready to 
answer them. 

Those who were in the interest of the United 
States paid their compliments to Allen for his 
open and candid conduct. In the evening he 
had a conference with the Canadian spectators, 
who seemed to be equally well pleased. 

In July, Ethan Allen was informed by one of 
his neighbors that some of his friends from Can- 
ada wished to speak with him in the dusk of the 
evening of that day. At the time ajoi^ointed, Al- 
len, with only his cane in hand, cheerfully went 
to a British guard under arms, and received a 
packet. In the evening of the following day he 
met them again and returned an answer. This 



THE (iREEN MOltKTAlT? BO^S 121 

mode of correspondence was continued ; find 
^vhenever dispatches came in this way, General 
Ethan Allen or Colonel Ira Allen (they lived in 
the same house) went and received them and re^ 
turned an answer, not trusting the dispatches to 
any other person. It is worthy of remark that 
Sunderland^ their place of residence, was more 
than sixty miles from the frontiers, yet a sergeant 
and guard frequently passed with their aims in 
1781 and 1782, without being discovered by any 
one who would inform against them. 

About this time there appeared in the news- 
papers of the day a letter from Lord George 
Gerijiain to Sir Henry Clinton, dated Whitehall^ 
Teh. 7th, 1781, which letter had been captured by 
the French and carried to Paris, from whence it 
had been forwarded to Congress, and by them or- 
dered to be printed. It ran thus : 

"Tiie return of the people of Vermont to their 
allegiance is aij event of the utmost importance 
to the King's affairs; and at this time, if the 
French and Washington really meditate an irrup- 



122 THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 

tion into Canada, may be considered as opposing 
an effectual barrier to the attempt. General 
Haldimand, who has the same instructions with 
you to draw over those people, and give them 
support, will, I doubt not, push up a body of 
troops to act in conjunction with them, to secure 
all the avenues through their country into Canada; 
and when the season admits, take possession of 
the upper parts of the Hudson and Connecticut 
Rivern, and cut off the communication between 
Albany and the Mohawk country. How far they 
may be able to extend themselves southward or 
eastward must depend on their numbers, and the 
disposition of the inhabitants." 

This letter had greater influence on Congress 
than all other considerations that had yet been 
brought to bear ; and that body promptly direct- 
ed that a committee be appointed to confer with 
a like committee from Vermont, "on what terms 
it may be proper to admit Vermont into a federal 
union of these States." 

Accordingly, Vermont sent on her committee ; 



THE OREEN MOUNTAIN BOrS 123 

while fcbey were iu Philadelphia they procured a 
copy of a letter fi-om the Governor of New Hamp- 
shire to the President of Congress, stating that 
his State could not furnish its quota of men or 
money in support of the war, as a third part of 
the State had revolted and joined Vermont. This 
draft Allen transmitted to the British Commis- 
sioners at Skenesborough, who laughed heartily 
with the Vermont committee. 

Those who are disposed to regard this action 
of Allen and his associates as inimical to the 
cause of American Independence, will do well to 
consider that the effect was to neutralize the 
strength of 10,000 British troops as opposed to 
a like number from Vermont; the final result to 
the cause would be the same as though both forces 
took the field and slaughtered each other, with 
the advantage to Vermont that she was saved 
from being overrun by a devastating army. 

Meanwhile the British Commissioners were 
becoming impatient. They stated as their in- 
structions, which they were not at liberty to de- 



124 THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 

viate from without putting an end to the armis- 
tice, that his Excellency, General Haldimand, 
in pursuance of full powers vested in him by his 
Majesty, should issue his proclamation offering 
to confirm Vermont as a colony under the Crown, 
provided the people would return to their alle- 
giance ; that an ai my should come up the Lake 
in October with said proclamation, and the Leg- 
islature must accept the same, and with the Brit- 
ish take measures for their common defense. 

This was a sore strait for perplexed Vermont 
diplomats. It was deemed best, however, to have 
the proclamations brought up the Lake rather 
than incur the risk of a discontinuance of the 
armistice, in the present defenseless state of the 
frontier. 

The Legislature met at Charlestown eaily in 
October, and about the same time a powerful 
British army under St. Leger was landed at Ti- 
conderoga. A skirmish having occurred between 
a part}' of Vermonters under command of Ser- 
geant T upper and a number of the enemy, the 



THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 125 

Sergeaiit was killed and his iiien retreated. St. 
Leger seut his clothes and effects, with an open 
letter, to General Enos, informing him of the fate 
of the Sergeant, and apologizing for his death. 
This dispatch and the apparel were publicly de- 
livered to General Enos,' which made no little 
noise among the troops. 

The preceding negotiations were not known to 
more than a dozen men in Vermont. An express 
came in with letters for Governor Chittenden, an- 
nouncing the arrival of the British at Ticondero- 
ga, in which were blended public matters and 
private negotiations. The messenger had not 
failed to j)ioclaim the extraordinary message of 
St. Leger, which occasioned large crowds to fol- 
lovv', to hear the news. On opening the letters 
the Governor saw it was not prudent to have them 
publicly read. At this confused moment Major 
Runnals came running in and demanded of Colo- 
nel Allen the reason why St. Leger was sorry the 
Sergeant v\^as killed? Allen replied he could not 
tell. E-unuu-ls repeated the question, to which 



126 THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 

Allen then made an evasive answer. This enraged 
Runnals, who again loudly demanded what rear- 
sons could possibly induce a British general to be 
sorry when his enemies were killed ? Allen re- 
torted with some warmth by advising Runnals to 
go at the head of his regiment and demand of St. 
Leger the reasons for his sorrow, and not stay 
there eating up the country's provisions and do- 
ing nothing while the frontiers were invaded. 
This mancBvre drew all attention, for the moment, 
from the letters. Meanwhile new ones were made 
out which were read in place of the originals for 
the satisfaction of the people. 

The crisis is approaching, yet the leaders in 
the stirring drama are not dismayed. A commu- 
nication from Alien to the British announces that 
matters are going on propitiously for their de- 
signs, but in view of unfavorable reports direct 
from the seat of war, suggested it would hardly 
be expedient to publish tlie proclamation just 
then. In less than an hour after this communi- 
cation reached Ticonderoga, an express arrived 



THE GKEEN MOUNTAIN BOYS 127 

there with the news of the capture of Cornwaiiis 
and his entire army. Before night the Britibh 
had embarked all their troops and stores, and had 
set sail with all haste for Canada. Thus were 
the Vermont diplomatists relieved, at the last mo- 
ment, from their embarrassment and danger ; and 
thus were the frontiers of that State preserved 
from the horrors of war by the sagacity and dar- 
ing oi a few detei mined men. 



CHAPTEE XII. 

CONCLUSION. 

Years elapsed. Hostilities between Great 
Britaio aDd tbe American Colonies had ceased ; 
and on the 20ili of January, 1783, the prelimina- 
ry articles of peace were signed, which established 
the independence of the United States. The 
adoption of the Federal Constitution followed, 
which was ratified by the thirteen original States, 
and the first Congress assembled uuder it March 
3d, 1789. During the period succeeding the 
peace, Vermont had been pursuing the even ten- 
or of her way, not over-solicitous about an organ- 
ic union with the States, and without any exter- 
nal foes to dread. But the ancient difi*erence 
with New York still remained unsettled. A new 
political generation had come upon the stage, in 



wliose bosoms the bitter feuds of their fathers 
\vere not perpetuated. 

One difficulty, however, presented itself. New 
York bad aforetime granted larfve tracts of land 
in Vermont, and the grantees were loudly com- 
plaining of the injustice in not being allowed to 
take possession of the property, or having its 
purchase price refunded. New York felt no very 
strong obligation to refund the money that had 
been extorted for those grants by royal governors 
before the war ; still she was disposed to favor a 
compromise. Public opinion and mutual inter- 
ests called for a reconciliation with Vermont, and 
her admission into the Confederacy of States, in- 
asmuch as the measure would increase the repre- 
sentation of New England in Congress. 

On the 23d of Octobor. 1789, committees from 
the respective Legislatuies of Vermont and New 
York met to arrange the settlement of the only 
issue remaining — the amount of compensation the 
claimants under the New York grants should re- 
ceive from Vermont. It was agreed that on pay- 



130 THE GREEN MOTTNTAIN BOYS 

ment being made to her of $30,000, New York 
was to consent to the admission of Vermont into 
the Union, and to give up all claims to jurisdic- 
tion within the latter State. On the 18 bh of Feb- 
ruary, 1791, Congress, without a dissenting voice 
or vote, passed an Act "That on the 4th day of 
March, 1791, the said State, by the name and 
style of the * State of Vermont,' shall be received 
and admitted into their Union as a new and en- 
tire member of the United States of America." 



The End. 



ACADIA: 

A LOST CHAPTER in AMERICAN HISTORY. 
By Philip H._ Smith. 



This is a work of c\eop iviterest nnr) n'pnt liisforionl value. 
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Price $2. Ijiberal discount to the trade. Mailed to any 
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PHILIP H. SMITH, Publisher, 

Pawling, N. Y. 



HISTORY OF 

DUCHESS COUNTY. 

BY PHILIP H. SMITH. 

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Price $2, mailed to any address. 

Philip II. Smith, Piiblisbor^ 

Pawling, N. Y. 



ELIZABETH FPiY : 

LIFE AND LABOiiy OF THE EMINENT 

PHlLANTHKOPIbT, TBEaCHEU, 

AND PitlK^UN KEJj OKMEK. 

BY EDWABD RYDER. 



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389 pp., 8vo., with full page portrait of Ehzabeth Fry. 
Price ^1, mailed to any aciaress. 

Philip H. Smith, Publisher, 

Pawling, N. Y. 











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